HMP inmates denied medical attention, rehab programs due to staff shortages, documents reveal

Staff shortages at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in St. John’s have been causing chaos and disruptions for both inmates and staff members at the facility. A recent collection of emails obtained by CBC News through an access-to-information request sheds light on the far-reaching consequences of the lack of correctional officers to oversee operations at Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest corrections facility.

The emails, dating back nearly two years, reveal a grim picture of a prison struggling to maintain its operations due to severe shortages of guards. Lockdowns at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary have become a common occurrence, with entire prison-wide lockdowns lasting for days at a time due to the lack of available staff members.

In one email sent to Supt. Dan Chafe in July, a supervisor at HMP reported that 14 out of the prison’s 29 guards were unable to work, leaving nearly half of the necessary positions unfilled. The documents also highlight the extended periods of leave taken by guards, with one email identifying 22 guards with significant leave usage.

The shortage of guards has had direct consequences for the inmates at the facility. In one email sent to Justice Minister John Hogan, a non-profit worker reported receiving calls from inmates claiming they were being denied medical attention due to staff shortages. Shockingly, one inmate had a broken wrist for six weeks, with the bone protruding from the skin.

The lack of staff has also impacted the availability of essential services for inmates, including medical appointments, dental care, and educational programs. In some cases, guards have had to cancel programming to escort inmates to medical appointments, leading to disruptions in rehabilitation and educational services.

Volunteers from organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and the John Howard Society have also been turned away from the facility due to lockdowns, resulting in cancellations of important meetings and programs. The prison’s library has often been inaccessible to inmates during lockdowns, and disruptions to education services have occurred due to a lack of staff and unexpected leaves of absence.

Inmates have also complained about the lack of clean laundry, with some going weeks without clean clothes due to staff shortages. Lockdowns have also meant limited opportunities for recreation at the facility, with inmates only being able to participate in outdoor activities a few times a year.

Efforts have been made by the Justice Department to address the staffing shortages, including hiring additional correctional officers and implementing measures to improve staff morale and safety. Plans are in place to offer incentives for overtime, establish a wellness committee, and provide ergonomic seating for staff members.

The emails highlight the critical need for adequate staffing at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary to ensure the safety and well-being of both inmates and staff members. The ongoing challenges faced by the facility underscore the importance of addressing staffing shortages to maintain the effective operation of the corrections system.