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Court rules against firing of Edmonton Remand Centre correctional officer

The Alberta government has lost a second bid to fire a correctional officer accused of using excessive and unreasonable force against a prisoner.

EDMONTON — The Alberta government has lost a second bid to fire a correctional officer accused of using excessive and unreasonable force against a prisoner.

The Edmonton Remand Centre guard was authorized to carry pepper spray because an inmate had a history of being aggressive and threatening.

The guard pepper-sprayed the man and struck him during a strip search after the inmate threatened him.

Alberta Justice dismissed the guard, but that decision was over-ruled by an arbitration board.

The province then appealed.

A Court of Queen’s Bench judge ruled against the government, saying correctional officers constantly suffer verbal abuse and face a high risk of physical abuse.