Friends and relatives of inmates at Kitchener’s Grand Valley Institute for Women want Corrections Canada to do a better job of telling them what’s going on in the prison.
Friday’s demonstration is related to the suspension of a guard at the facility over allegations he traded drugs or tobacco for sex with inmates.
The guard was suspended earlier this fall when allegations were made by at least one inmate.
Corrections Canada carried out its own investigation, and called in Waterloo Regional Police this week after an inmate rights group made the allegations public.
The demonstrators stood outside the prison based on claims from inmates that the guard is back on the job.
Corrections Canada says it can not comment on any incident or individuals due to the privacy act. It would only say its investigation is complete.
Christine Bivens, the mother of an inmate, says the sex for drugs allegations is disturbing on every level.
She says Corrections Canada needs to keep the families of inmates better informed. “In light of the things coming out about the Ashley Smith inquiry, I think our fears are justified and we need clear information.”
Ashley Smith strangulated herself in the prison five year ago, while guards looked on, ordered they say not to interfere with Smith.
A spokesperson for the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers says the union can’t comment while an investigation is underway.
Waterloo Regional police detectives were not available to say if their investigation continues.
