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The incident once again raises serious concerns about chronic overcrowding and increasing violence at B.C.’s provincial prisons.
Vancouver (22 Jan. 2016) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) is investigating a serious, intentionally set fire on the segregation unit at the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre on January 20. Nineteen correctional officers required medical attention for smoke inhalation, burning eyes and lungs.
Deliberate fire raises more concerns about poor conditions of B.C. prisons
The incident once again raises serious concerns about chronic overcrowding and increasing violence at B.C.’s provincial prisons. A single correctional officer was working in the segregation unit when the fire was started last night.
The BCGEU/NUPGE will be working with the correctional officers involved in last night's incident to get a complete picture of what happened. The union will also work with the officers to ensure they get the medical attention required.
BCGEU/NUPGE is also contacting the Workers’ Compensation Board, which recently conducted a comprehensive review of all provincial prisons and identified serious violations of health and safety regulations.
BCGEU/NUPGE will keep members updated as information becomes available.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE