The plea for help from the Thunder Bay District Jail to the provincial government over crowded conditions and COVID-19 has not fallen on deaf ears.
Union president Bill Hayes says not only are stricter screening measures in place, but the population has been reduced by about half to 100.
“We haven’t experienced numbers like this in years. The anxiety is still there with COVID lingering, but the fact that the numbers are down makes things more manageable,” points out Hayes.
The union head adds some low risk inmates have been released, or moved to other institutions.
“There’s been some releases, as well as transfers to other institutions throughout the province, especially central north. Penetanguishine has a big correctional facility, as well as Kenora having taken on a few,” adds the union president.
Changes include ways to deal with the virus and inmates.
“Staff screening for staff members coming to work. Isolation units for possible symptomatic inmates. And just now they’ve implemented mandatory wearing of surgical masks,” says the union president.
Hayes adds he’s expecting another on-line meeting with the government within the next month or two about a new jail.
