The agenda on the second day was full. Some of the issues discussed were: electronic supervision programs; duty to accommodate; mentally ill inmates; direct supervision model; staff/inmate ratio, related assaults; and security threat groups.
I opened the discussion in relation to the delegate’s interest in co-ordinating our efforts in a similar campaign as the one presented the previous day. An agreement was reached that we would move forward with collecting information to plan for a national campaign that would raise awareness of common interests.
On Saturday we attended the “Punch up at Parliament” The Canadian Emergency Services Boxing Association (C.E.S.B.A.) Monies raised were donated to the CPA-Robert Warner Memorial Fund. OPSEU also donated money to the Fund. I had the honour to help present a plaque to Terrence “TNT Kid Dynamite” Thomas. Terrence received the plaque from C.E.C.B.A. and OPSEU in recognition for his community service over the years with youth. Terrence a P&P officer and former C.O. from Mimico made us very proud as he also won his match. Congratulations again Terrence!
On Sunday I marched in the Peace Officers Memorial Parade in Ottawa. This was my second time in the parade and I felt honoured to carry the NUPGE flag in the colour party. Ontario Corrections is the only Province not to have a memorial dedicated to fallen Peace Officers. Both Community and Institutional need to be more vocal about needing to have one us at Queens Park in recognition for our fallen sisters and brothers. Raising a positive profile for Corrections in the public eye would be a benefit to all of us.
In Solidarity
Dan Sidsworth
Link to NUPGE http://www.nupge.ca/news_2008/n29se08b.htm
