The union representing Quebec's provincial jail guards issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that the presence of high-ranking organized crime figures inside detention centers has dramatically increased the risk of violence, creating what they describe as a 'climate of explosive tension.'
Sunday's Disturbing Incident
This warning followed a disturbing event on Sunday afternoon in Montreal's Rivière-des-Prairies district. Gunshots were reported near the local detention centre at the same time alleged members of the powerful Rizzuto crime organization were reportedly in an outdoor courtyard. Shortly after police were alerted to the gunfire, a burned-out vehicle was discovered in the vicinity.
While no bullet impacts were found and no injuries were reported, the incident escalated concerns. According to multiple news reports citing anonymous police sources, investigators later recovered significant evidence from a nearby wooded area. This evidence reportedly included an AR-15 assault rifle, spent shell casings, and a cellphone containing photographs of incarcerated individuals linked to the Rizzuto family.
A Calculated Move and Systemic Pressures
The discovery of the cellphone and its photos led some law enforcement observers to a chilling theory: the shooting may have been a staged event intended to force the transfer of the targeted inmates. Citing anonymous sources, the Journal de Montréal reported that the prisoners in question were indeed moved on Sunday evening to the Montreal Detention Centre, commonly known as Bordeaux jail. This transfer is significant, as the aging Bordeaux facility is known for issues with contraband being smuggled in by drone and offers the possibility of unshared cells.
Mathieu Lavoie, president of the Syndicat des agents de la paix en services correctionnels du Québec-CSN, expressed deep concern in a public statement. "We are deeply concerned by this major and unprecedented event, which directly affects the safety of our members and, more broadly, the public," Lavoie said. "It is clear that the presence of high-ranking criminals in detention facilities is creating a climate of explosive tension within the prison system."
Union Points to Funding Cuts as a Critical Factor
The guards' union is connecting these dangerous events to broader systemic issues. They argue that a combination of recent arrests of high-level organized crime members and the Quebec government's decision to implement budget cuts is making their work environment perilous. The union specifically highlighted the CAQ government's announcement of $40 million in cuts to the Public Security Ministry.
Lavoie emphasized that public safety is a shared responsibility, writing, "The protection of the public is a shared responsibility between (guards) and police forces. Given the current context where the CAQ government has recently announced budget cuts of $40 million, we do not see how we will be able to continue to deal with these uncontrollable tensions." The union's warning underscores a growing fear that financial constraints will severely hamper their ability to manage escalating risks within the provincial correctional system.
