Hours after NDP Leader Andrea Horwath questioned why the Liberals haven’t addressed the situation at the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre and other jails in the province, a lockdown followed at the prison along with numerous fires.
Corrections Minister Madeline Meilleur had responded to Horwath’s inquiry by saying they had a 12 point plan laid out, and that they have implemented 24 hour nursing service at the jail.
She also made remarks about guards at Queen’s Park though yesterday saying that she wants to know who at EMDC and other jails aren’t doing their jobs.
The union representing workers issued a warning that it could cause chaos again, and just after that inmates began setting fires at the jail that continued through the evening last night.
Meilleur issued a statement saying that Ontario’s correctional officers have extremely difficult jobs, and she takes their health and safety concerns very seriously. She added the safety of correctional officers who work in our institutions is a priority for her and the ministry, but she offered no apology or retraction.
