NL

OH&S investigating after HMP officer files complaint

A complaint by a correctional officer about staffing at Her Majesty's Penitentiary has led to an investigation by Occupational Health and Safety.

Further investigations may be spurred by initial complaint, OH&S says

Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's houses inmates from the Avalon Peninsula, high security male inmates, long term remands and those awaiting transfer to a federal facility. (CBC)

A complaint by a correctional officer about staffing at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's has led to an investigation by the province's Occupational Health and Safety branch.

Service NL confirmed for CBC News that a complaint was filed in May over a lack of staffing in the west wing of the jail.

An investigation is underway, and depending on what information is received, it could lead to additional investigations at HMP, a statement said. 

The Department of Justice and Public Safety, however, says it is confident there are enough correctional officers in place. 

"While the department is confident in the current staffing model at HMP, we are working with OHS and appropriate followup will be taken pending the outcome of an ongoing OHS investigation," the department said in a statement.

HMP is Newfoundland and Labrador's largest male prison.