Ontario blasted for not protecting London jail staff

The union representing guards at London's provincial jail is calling out Queen's Park for not doing enough to protect them against intimidation from outlaw motorcycle clubs after the latest inmate death.

The tensions were on full display during a rally last weekend that attracted nearly 1,000 people, including members of the Hells Angels and other outlaw motorcycle clubs, to the Elgin-middlesex Detention Centre following a funeral for inmate Brandon Marchant.

Protesters have returned to the jail since then, photographing staff and their licence plates, stopping vehicles, harassing staff and threatening them on social media, said the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, whose Local 108 represents about 375 EMDC workers.

“We will not tolerate attempts to intimidate these front-line heroes,” OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas said in a statement. “I condemn this harassment ... and call on the solicitor general to intervene immediately.”

The union is calling on the Ministry of the Solicitor General to denounce the acts of intimidation.

“Our members need to know that these types of behaviours will not be tolerated,” union rep Chad Oldfield said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the ministry said it is working with London police to ensure the safety of staff and inmates at EMDC.

“The facility is secure and our top priority remains the safety of both staff and inmates,” spokesperson Andrew Morrison wrote in an email.

A spokesperson said London police are aware of the protests and are investigating at least one report of property damage at the jail.

“EMDC has hired (London police) officers to be on site during the shift change of employees as protests continue,” Const. Sandasha Bough said Thursday.

A few dozen demonstrators gathered Thursday at the Exeter Road entrance to the jail, where police officers watched from a distance and told those in attendance that they couldn't park in the staff lot.

Ashley Mcnamara, who said she's been protesting outside EMDC since Saturday, dismissed the union's allegations.

“I think that's nonsense,” she said, adding she hasn't seen anyone photographing correctional officers or vehicles. “We won't stop until justice has been served.”

Tensions have been rising at the jail in recent weeks after the death of the 32-year-old Marchant, the 19th person to die there since 2009.