(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Corrections

Union representing federal correctional officers says violence in the workplace on the rise

Apr 16, 2024 | 1:00 PM

A man with 15 prior convictions for offenses relating to assaulting correctional officers, has had three more convictions added to his record.

Donavin Diggs, 29, was sentenced Tuesday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. With consideration given to the over four months he spent in segregation, essentially locked up for 23 hours of the day, Diggs was granted time served.

According to facts read in court by the Crown prosecutor, three latest offenses all occurred early last year at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary’s max unit.

In one incident, while Diggs, who is from Halifax, was out running laps on the track and informed it was time for lock up. Diggs responded by spitting at the two correctional officers.

“Keep this up, I’ll get you,” he said after finally complying to go.

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In another incident, after having his handcuffs removed, Diggs reached through a cell door and punched the correctional officer in the face. And a week prior, while being escorted to the shower area, Diggs lunged at one of the officers and punched them in the face.

Three officers were required to subdue Diggs. Two of the officers required treatment at hospital for sprained knees and the third officer, who was exposed to open wounds, required blood work.

Another reason for Judge Kalenith’s sentencing decision, lies in the fact Diggs has charges pending out of British Columbia, so regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, will remain in custody and is facing transfer from Sask Pen.

When given the opportunity to speak, Diggs, claimed to have been subjected to continuous harassment and intimidation by the prison staff. He also noted how hard being in segregation has been on his own mental health.

“It’s really hard times,” he said.

Defence lawyer Evan Strelioff noted Diggs has “considerable mental health issues” and had a hard time adjusting when initially transferred to Sask Pen. Diggs was even on suicide watch for a period of time.

The timing of the sentencing hearing coincides with a rally planned for Saskatoon on Wednesday afternoon. The union representing federal correction officers is denouncing what they state is an increase in violence against correctional officers and a lack of accountability by the employer.

“Our officers are routinely subjected to physical and verbal assault. It is not uncommon for them to leave their shifts with physical and psychological injuries. These working conditions and operating under a management structure that is systemically disconnected and unsupportive to the front-line needs has caused one of the worst diagnosed mental health-crisis documented in Canadian history,” the union said in a statement.

The event in Saskatoon will take place outside the Regional Psychiatric Centre and among those in attendance will be James Bloomfield, Regional President for UCCO-SACC-CSN in the Praires; Jake Suelzle, Regional Vice President for UCCO-SACC-CSN in the Prairies; and Chase Mayer, Second Regional Vice President for UCCO-SACC-CSN in the Prairies.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell