Significant incidents at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre has prompted staff to relocate a large amount of inmates within the facility.
Approximately 40 per cent of the Saskatoon centre’s population is being reorganized after two fights broke out this week between two rival gangs. The brawls occurred within the yard and a unit in the facility.
The pair of fights happened after inmate Brent Checkosis, one of the eight people in connection with the Tiki Laverdiere murder, was stabbed last week by two other inmates at the jail and is now in hospital in serious condition.
As a result, the correctional centre was placed on lockdown earlier this week while staff and police begin their investigations, conduct a review and determine that the facility is safe for both inmates and staff.
Drew Wilby, the assistant deputy minister for community safety and well-being, discussed how the two fights were initiated within the facility.
He explained how members from the two gangs were together in the same area during both instances. The gangs had historically gotten along very well, but suddenly they turned into rivals after something changed recently outside of the penitentiary, which altered the relationship.
“As a result of that, we have to reorganize the living structure of the Saskatoon Correctional Centre to make sure we’ve isolated the two gangs from one another,” said Wilby.
The centre’s security intelligence suggested a change between the two groups, however there is no knowledge at this time to propose what may have shifted the relationship.
“From garnering that intelligence, they were able to stop that unit from going up as well, which possibly saved injuries and maybe even lives,” said Wilby.
“By working with the offenders, getting to understand what’s happening and quickly reacting, we were able to stop at least one more fight from happening.”
The government is hopeful that the lockdown will be lifted later on Friday in order to bring the facility back to regular programming.
SGEU reacts to recent incidents
SGEU President Bob Bymoen said it should not take a large incident at a jail before the government takes steps to make it a safer environment for both corrections officers and inmates.
However, Bymoen admitted he recognizes what the government is doing by trying to relocate inmates involved in a recent altercation in Saskatoon, adding right now they have to wait and see if there is a positive result.
“Let’s hope it works, but I don’t see it as the full solution,” said Bymoen. “I think it’s going to take more than an internal shuffle.”
Bymoen added if the government has money to fix roads and highways every year, they should easily be able to spend some on correctional facilities that would make them a safe place for both workers and inmates.
He also brought attention to the everyday occurrences that take place at the province’s correctional centres, yet sometimes the stories don’t go mainstream.
“It is their job to work in these centres and work in a tough environment, but it’s also the employers obligation and everybody’s obligation to figure out a way to make it safe for them.”
Investigations will continue to make sure the gang members are separated from one another so staff are not threatened.
