Unpacking and analysing the COVID-19 Experience among Members of UCCO-SACC-CSN

In the current report, we reflect on the UCCO-SACC-CSN’s (UCCO) members perspectives of how COVID-19 affected federal correctional service work for officers. The data analyzed stems from a survey of UCCO members, composed of open and close ended questions. The online survey was housed on Qualtrics and did not have a great response rate. Of the approximately 7,200 members UCCO members, we only had 168 responses, which equates to a 2.3% response rate. Thus, we recognize this limitation and hope that the union finds value in the work which may increase future participation. In the report, we explore the participant interpretations of how Correctional Services Canada (CSC) responded to the pandemic and how both CSC and UCCO-SACC-CSN supported their staff/members during a particularly challenging time for prison work. Findings reveal some positive examples of workplace practice, along with aspects that might be reflected on and improved on in the future. We conclude the report with a series of recommendations for first, future research and policy responses to future pandemics affecting correctional systems, and second, consideration for UCCO to help all better support their members. Ultimately, our report supports correctional staff and correctional staff unions need to be focal points and central influences in shaping future pandemic responses.