A study done in 2016 found that 27 correctional officers, former and current, had attempted or committed suicide in that year alone.
Atlantic President for the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers Bev McKibbon says the things they see on a daily basis puts an emotional and physical strain on the officers.
“I’m sure there are people that I have walked around with every day that have had suicidal thoughts, ideations or maybe even an attempt. It might have been as recent as even the day before, you just never know. The job is an emotional strain on most people. The longer you go, the more it adds up,” McKibbon says.
Because correctional officers are not defined as first responders, they are not covered under presumptive legislation, which leads to faster access to resources for PTSD, and the ability to take time off work.
“We basically do it all. Firefighter, police officer, correctional officer, paramedic almost all in one. Yet we are not recognized as first responders, which is a very hard pill for me to swallow, that we’re not,” McKibbon says.
There are around 500 correctional officers working in facilities in New Brunswick. McKibbon says many of them are maximum security.
McKibbon says, “If the correctional officers have issues at work and have suicidal thoughts, to get off work and continue to be paid, it is a very difficult process in this province. You have to see Psychologists and you have to prove your case that you’re suffering from PTSD.”
He adds the union will continue pushing the province to be included in this Legislation.
.New Brunswick is one of only two provinces in the country that Correctional Officers are not covered under presumptive legislation.
