For immediate release:
December 10, 2008

Barrett calls on Corrections Minister to curb unnecessary spending

Queens Park – Absenteeism among correctional officers is costing the government $20-million each year, reports a statement released by Ontario’s Auditor General.

On average officers have been taking 32.5 sick days per year, costing the government not only an additional $9-million in replacement worker wages but another $11-million in overtime pay.

“Some guards have been able to double their salary to over $140,000 using overtime pay,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. “Minister of Corrections Rick Bartolucci must put an end to the needless spending of taxpayers’ money.”

Barrett said that Bartolucci has faced criticism for a failed program that was meant to cut 2,000 beds in Ontario’s 17 jails.

The plan, which was to be implemented between 2005 and 2008, was to see less serious offenders placed into community programs and given electronic monitoring bracelets. This did not happen and the prison population has risen by over 1,000 inmates.

“It’s ridiculous,” Barrett said. “Here we’re supporting a growing number of inmates across the province’s jails, and we’re paying guards twice their intended salary.”

-30-

For more information please contact MPP Barrett at 1-800-903-8629