The Ministry of Corrections and Policing is shuffling inmates around at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre in hopes that separating 2 gangs will settle down the recent violence in that facility.

Ministry spokesperson, Drew Wilby, says 2 gangs who historically got along well, suddenly turned into rivals, so they have been isolated from each other. He says sometimes something happens on the street, a notice is sent into the jail, and then these incidents arise.

The brawls occurred after inmate Brent Checkosis, one of the 8 people charged in connection with the Tiki Laverdiere murder, was stabbed last week by 2 inmates. Checkosis is in hospital in serious condition.

SGEU President Bob Bymoen says it shouldn’t take a serious incident before government steps in to make a safer environment for both corrections officers and inmates. He adds that every day they hear stories about incidents from their members that are not mainstream.

He hopes re-locating the inmates will work, but he doesn’t see it being the complete solution. Bymoen realizes corrections officers know what they are getting into when they pursue this career, but says at the same time, like anyone else, they are entitled to a safe work environment.
(CKRM)