CUPE 1949 wants a targeted, temporary release of some inmates in Saskatchewan Jails. The union, which represents 130 lawyers and staff at Legal Aid Saskatchewan, says it would help prevent further transmission of COVID-19 after what the union calls a massive outbreak at the jail in Saskatoon. President Julia Quigley says the recent outbreak at the correctional centre here shows just how volatile the situation is. She says the jails are overcrowded with vulnerable people who have virtually no means of protecting themselves. The union say that the majority of inmates are on remand, meaning they haven’t been convicted of any crime. The union says that Saskatchewan remands people at twice the national average.

CUPE wants the province to release any remanded or sentenced inmates who are vulnerable due to pre-existing health issues, and those who do not pose a risk to public safety.