Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre lockdown lifted

Operations have returned to normal at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre following a weekend lockdown.

The Innes Road jail was locked down Sunday due to what the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services called a "staffing shortage."

While the ministry won't elaborate on what led to the staffing issue, the union representing correctional officers at the facility said a number of managers who were scheduled for duty Sunday called in sick.

I've never seen that in my 17 years at OCDC, not having any managers show up to work.-Denis Collin, OPSEU Local 411 President

"What I'm hearing is it's an unhappy coincidence, because I've never seen that in my 17 years at OCDC, not having any managers show up to work," said Denis Collin, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 411.

While Collin doesn't know how many managers were supposed to be working Sunday, he heard from his members that the lockdown proceeded without incident.

"We've had to go through a process of heightening our security because of that. Eventually an upper administrative management did come ... to oversee the situation. So the day went by as cautiously as we can with no incidents, and that's the way we like it," said Collin.

A spokesperson for the province wouldn't confirm if the situation was a result of managers calling in sick, citing security reasons.

"The OCDC is now fully operational with visits, programming and court transfers taking place," said Brent Ross in an email. "We would like to commend our staff for their hard work and professionalism, both yesterday and at all times, to ensure the safe and secure operation of the facility."

'Frustrating' staff shortages

Still, the situation wasn't ideal in a jail already dealing with staffing issues, according to the union.

"It's very frustrating on any given day because of the staff shortages and whatnot, but it would have been even more frustrating in regards to showing up in a workplace basically without floor managers that we're used to having," said Collin. 

"You can't get any directions, so you're looking for that immediate supervising situation in regards to issues that pop up inside our institution."

The lockdown came just days after correctional officers at the OCDC voted against a tentative collective agreement in ongoing contract talks with the province.