I’d like to comment on the recent incident at the RCMP cellblock regarding the two female prisoners, who engaged in sexual activity while being monitored.

I worked in the cellblock as a female guard for several years. During this time my supervisors as well as the guards I worked with, would never have allowed anything like what has allegedly transpired. One of the prisoners would have been moved!

As a guard, I was taught that we were there for the client’s safety. Once a person is put in cells it is our duty to ensure the client is treated with dignity and professionalism. Persons being detained are not circus sideshows for the purpose of entertaining gawking idiots.

An employee should never invade a client’s privacy unless that client’s safety is at risk, unsafe situations are dealt with immediately. The safety and dignity of the client is preserved as well as the institution and it’s called, professionalism.

It saddens me to think, a job I once held with integrity, has been demeaned and turned into a peep show. Working within the RCMP detachment you’re involved with clients who may have limited education, mental health issues or suffer from drug and alcohol abuse. They are in crisis.

I believe there are many ethical people who work at the RCMP detachment and I’m sure they are as saddened and dismayed as I am. To the people who were involved, I would like to say, judge yourself by how you treat the most vulnerable in society.

C. HODGSON

Kamloops