A correctional officer at a prison in Quebec was hospitalized after being severely beaten by an inmate, according to police.
The incident occurred at the Donnacona Institution, a federal prison located near Quebec City, on Monday evening. The officer was reportedly attacked by an inmate while conducting a routine check in the prison’s maximum-security unit.
The officer sustained serious injuries and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries is currently unknown.
The inmate, who has not been identified, has been placed in segregation and an investigation into the incident is underway. The prison has also implemented a lockdown as a precautionary measure.
This is not the first time that violence has erupted at the Donnacona Institution. In 2016, a correctional officer was stabbed by an inmate, and in 2018, another officer was assaulted by an inmate.
The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) has expressed their concern over the safety of correctional officers and is calling for immediate action to address the issue of violence in prisons.
In a statement, the UCCO-SACC-CSN stated, “Our members put their lives on the line every day to ensure the safety and security of the public. It is unacceptable that they continue to be subjected to violence and attacks while carrying out their duties.”
The Donnacona Institution is a medium-security prison that houses approximately 500 inmates, including those serving sentences for violent crimes.
The Correctional Service of Canada has not yet released a statement on the incident, but they have confirmed that the safety and security of their staff and inmates is their top priority.
As the investigation continues, the UCCO-SACC-CSN is urging for immediate action to be taken to ensure the safety of correctional officers and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
