The union representing correctional officers at Dorchester Penitentiary says a lack of resources and a broken system may have contributed to the escape of inmate Jeffrey MacLean on Friday.
Doug White, the regional president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, says he still can’t believe the 29-year-old inmate serving a nine-year sentence allegedly overpowered a parole officer.
“I know he was put in Dorchester for a few days and there was a new security classification done on him,” said White. “His ranking was high/medium but he was overrode.”
Union representatives say they were shocked when MacLean had his day parole revoked and was sent back to minimum security.
For correctional officers in the minimum security wing, they say that poses a huge safety risk as they only have a radio.
“They don't have stab-resistant vests, they don't carry handcuffs, they don't carry OC spray, where in our medium and maximum security institutions, we have that equipment available to us,” said White.
One worker who didn’t want to give his name says a can of pepper spray likely would have prevented the escape. Instead, MacLean is alleged to have assaulted a parole officer, stole her car and crashed it in Memramcook, where he’s said to have assaulted a second woman and stole her vehicle.
“Unfortunately it takes incidents like this to change policy and change direction,” said White.
Union representatives say they are still waiting for change regarding security and equipment.
Prior to last year's federal election, then Opposition Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc wrote to the Public Safety Minister about concerns stemming from a process called 'security override.’
“Inmates are either minimum, medium, or maximum, and sometimes what they do – even though they come out medium – is override them, and put them in a minimum security institution,” said White.
CTV was unable to contact now Government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc for comment.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
