OMBUDSMAN BLOWS THE WHISTLE ON GUARDS BRUTALIZING PRISONERS

Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Ontario jail staff committing brazen acts of violence". What I find astounding is the lack or the word "alleged" throughout this story. This story is reporting upon a 135 page report written by our provincial ombudsman, Andre Marin. Words are not minced and examples given are very nasty. The ombudsman also focuses on the code of silence whereby guards don't tell on each other. He states in regards to the silence "I've never seen it so entrenched, so pervasive.". Apparently a minority of guards are acting as bullys and intimidating prisoners and some fellow guards alike. Clearly those that are supposed to be in charge are not. Equally clearly when you hear the bleating now starting among politicians, they are only beginning to care as the issue has become public. Their lack of empathy and humanity has probably allowed this situation to fester and get worse over a long period of time.