News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAVAL, QC, December 24, 2004 - In response to the News release from the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) on December 23th 2004, the Deputy Warden, Leclerc Institution, a medium-security penitentiary in Laval, is providing the following clarifications related to the use of camera at Leclerc Institution.

The camera was installed following repeated acts of vandalism, intimidation, duress, threat, pressure by staff at Leclerc Institution. It was not a question of "spying on correctional officers". The reasons for installing the camera were serious and merited immediate attention on the part of management.

The camera was installed in a public area where there is no expectation of privacy - a hallway and an area for accessing staff mail slots.

Treasury Board policy allows surveillance cameras to be installed under certain conditions. The investigation showed that the decision to install the camera was justified under the circumstances.

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For further information, media representatives are asked to contact:

Claude Lemieux
Warden
(450) 664-1320