Correctional Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur has apologized for inflammatory comments she made about guards at EMDC and met with union officials to discuss concerns.

At Queen’s Park on Wednesday, Meilleur publicly apologized for suggesting correctional officers at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre were not doing their jobs.

“The health and safety of the correctional officers and the staff at EMDC is my utmost priority and if I offended someone yesterday, I deeply apologize because that was not my intent.”

She added “It’s not an easy job to do and I wanted to thank [correctional officers] for all the good work they’re doing…I know they are always working in a very challenging environment.”

Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek had raised the issue of working conditions following a weekend incident that sent a guard to hospital with head wounds after allegedly being pushed into a meal hatch.

He is now calling for Meilleur’s resignation, saying she “refused to take responsibility and instead threw our front line corrections officers under the bus and insulted all the managers around the province.”

Following Meilleur’s comments on Tuesday, guards at EMDC staged a sit-in, which prompted a lockdown.

Later in the day two fires were allegedly set by inmates at the facility forcing the evacuation of several units. Guards say one was the largest they’ve ever seen at the facility and three inmates were taken to hospital.

Meilleur released a statement later in the day, but it did not include an apology or retract her earlier statement.

Overcrowding, understaffing, insufficient equipment and problems with management are among the issues OPSEU officials say are causing problems for guards at EMDC.

A number of cells can no longer be used because of the volatile situation, and 25 inmates are being transferred out of EMDC to jails across the province due to a lack of space.

Meilleur hears concerns from union officials

Following a meeting with local union officials, there are promises being made that a 12-point action plan put in place last fall to improve conditions will move forward quickly.

During the fires on Tuesday night, there weren’t enough air tanks to allow correctional officers to breathe while rescuing prisoners. It’s an issue that was supposed to have already been addressed.

Part of last fall’s action plan indicated the process was “underway to secure more fire-related equipment,” but nine months later there’s no sign of the much-needed equipment.

The fires also likely wouldn’t have happened at all had the meal hatches been replaced as promised.

The hatches can be opened outwards into common areas by inmates, allowing them to throw flaming items out.

They were supposed to be replaced by July, but construction hasn’t begun.

The union has given Meilleur until the end of June to get the necessary work done.

For her part, Meilleur has promised funding for another 55 air tanks and to move quickly on replacing the hatches and locks at the jail, items the union says were already promised.

Meanwhile Meilleur has also promised to hold regular meetings with local OPSEU representatives to stay apprised of the situation.