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The Canadian Champion, Friday, March 17,.2000 - 9 Corïrectional ofigg"cer fears writing on the wall By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Saving money could end up costing lives if Ontario jails are privatized, charged a Maplehurst correctional officer. "I Usink the community safety and staff securi- ty is at risk," said Mike Dakroub, vice-president of the Ontario Public Service Empioyees Union, local 234, and s correctional officer with 10 years experience. "Someone is going to get hurt That's my only concern." Currently, there are about 44 jails scattered llsroughout Ontario. But that will soon be wlsit- lied down to tbree supeiails. These whopping superjails are currently under construction in Penetanguishene and Lindsay, wbile Milton's Maplehurst is being renovsted to, become a supeijail. Ail Usree will be launched at the samne titre, and when Usey are, Use Penetanguishene facility will be mun by a private company. Recently, Mr. Dakroub took bis figbt againat privatization to town counicil in hopes of gaining its endoniement. The support neyer came, and now he fears he gave counicillors the wrong idea. "I left counicitlors with thse impression I waa worried about my job," hie said. "It's a concerni. No one likes to lose their job. But t won't com- promise my safety by working lfor a private company." He cited examples where privatization in American jails have resulted in chaos. But security issues, such as conflict and escape rates, will be constantly nionitored along with the costs at new Ontario superjails, said Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh. Those annual records will Usen bie analyzed to, suas out the better systeni. And the motivation behind American and Canadian prison privatization is too different to be likened, hie said. "Comparing; it to experiences in Use U.S. don't serve the debste," said Mr. Chudleigh. "They havesa différent systemn out there." With at lest one privately-run jail in place, Use comparisons can begin, hie said. And in bis opinion, Uat's just what the correc- tional officera are afraid of. "They'd like flot to have the competition. comxpany can nmaJe numy.1" Right now there's nothing to compare to," sasd Mr. Chudleigh. "We'd like to see a better way to do it." But littie safety extraa found in public facili- ties, like ensuring inniates get out of town once their terni is served, will likely be dispensed of with a private company bent on making a buck, said Mr. Dakroub. "We give then a bua ticket, we drive tbemn to the bus station and make sure they get on the bus and out of town," hie said. "A private company is flot going to do that." And Mr. Dakroub characterjzed hiniseif aa stunned when he Iearned stateside private jaila have a 40 per cent staff turnover rate. "It blew my mind You spend the firat two years learning the job," hie said. "No one wiIl know it at 40 per cent. When you have to babysit (your colleagues), it takes away fromn thse job." And it may jeopardize safety. "Maybe people don't care what happens behind locked doors. We do," hie said. "Conrectional officers don't want to, die so a pri- vate company can make money." Prisoners are more likely bie treated better in a public faciiity, which onty benelits thse commu- nity once they're releaaed, noted Mr. Dakroub. "They're Iooked after right now, somewhat, where a private company won't have it in tlseir budget," hie said. "If you treat inniates like ani- mais, they'll corne out behaving like animais." While hie expecta there to bie coat-savinga, they'll corne froni the supeiails themnselves, flot froni who is nsnning theni, said Mr. Chudleigh. Currently, housing one inniate cos about $140 a day. But that should go down to $75 once the mnega-prisons are in place. Mr. Dakroub rejected the Province's argument that one private prison won't necessarily lead to others. "It wouldn't make sense to privatize two and keep the third one public. We feel Use writ- ing's on the wall." 'The business that considets itself immune to the jnecessity for adyvertising sooner or later finds itself immune to business." DerbyBromi I FEINOMTO SESSION Guidelines for low-rîsk garrnbling Indicators that somneone ta *"puahlng their luck" What to do if gambling ta geuling out of contrai -ADVERTORIAL- Failing Your Home Inspection Can Cost You the Sale of Your Home: How to Prepare Be fore You List Your Home MILTON - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problenis that will corne under scruti- ny during a home inspection wben your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the eleven moat common of these problenis, and whst you should know about themr before you liat your home for sale. Whether you own an old home orsa brand new one, there are a number of things that can faîl short of require- nients during a home inspec- tion. 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