Two Mission Institution inmates test positive for COVID-19
Posted April 4, 2020 1:37 pm.
Last Updated April 4, 2020 8:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MISSION (NEWS 1130) — A federal prison in Mission is on lockdown after two inmates tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers.
The Correctional Service of Canada says in a statement that “currently there are 9 negative results, 2 outstanding results, and 2 confirmed cases at Mission Institution.”
A statement says the health and well-being of correctional officers is a growing concern due to a dwindling supply of Personal Protective Equipment.
“At the moment, PPE are available to our members that need to interact with the infected inmates but supplies are running low. PPE requirements to perform our work safely continue to be a source of anxiety among the membership.” it reads.
The union is calling on the Correctional Service of Canada to implement a number of measures at Mission Institution and at any institution where either a staff member or an inmate tests positive for the novel coronavirus.
The list of demands includes: quarantining of inmates who have contracted the virus, limiting staff on-site to those who have already been exposed to affected inmates, and requiring anyone who reports for duty to have their temperature taken.
The measures were implemented at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec after the first confirmed case in a federal prison.
The union also wants the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to ensure each prison has an adequate supply of tests.
A statement from the union issued Monday rejects calls from advocates to release some prisoners in order to slow the spread.
“The recent call from Senator Kim Pate and other inmate advocacy groups for the immediate release of inmates under the care, custody, and control of the Correctional Service of Canada signals a complete disregard for public safety. The release of a few inmates would not solve the potential spread of COVID-19 in our facilities; it would only increase the risk for Canadians,” it reads.
“The focus must be on changing routines in our institutions to respect social distancing and self-isolation practices to every extent possible. Canada is in crisis, and its citizens are already dealing with a potentially deadly threat. It is irresponsible to introduce further threats into our communities.”
