Inmates at the Southwest Detention Centre in Windsor were allowed to watch the entire Super Bowl game Sunday night while guards were paid overtime to supervise.
The football game runs during a time when some would normally be confined to their cell. Windsor West MPP and NDP critic of community safety and correction services Lisa Gretzky says this is not the proper way to spend taxpayer dollars. "This is money that could be spent on programming, regular programming within the facilities to help rehabilitate the inmates," says Gretzky. "Watching the Super Bowl game is not going to help them to be rehabilitated."
Gretzky says this is something jail guards don't agree with either. "This is absolutely a ministry directive. It's being mandated," says Gretzky. "The staff had said they don't want to do it. They agree that it is an irresponsible way to spend the money. They have other ways that would help support the staff, training-wise, and programs that would better benefit the offenders."
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services spokesperson Brent Ross says "the minor cost associated with the extra work is inconsequential compared to the potential benefits of continued positive inmate behaviour."
Ross adds this is standard practice for jails across the province for inmates to watch major sporting events like the Stanley Cup playoffs. He says overtime costs only come into play in direct supervision facilities. Ross was unable to estimate how much money is being spent on Superbowl overtime.