investigations launched into reported sexual misconduct at montreal youth detention centre
one of the instructors became pregnant and delivered a child fathered by an underage inmate, according to media reports.
4 minute read
a cell at the cité-des-prairies youth detention centre in montreal on march 21, 2022.
allen mcinnis
/
montreal gazette
an investigation is underway at an east-end detention centre for underage criminal offenders where at least nine instructors were allegedly involved in sexual misconduct with inmates, including at least one instance of full sexual intercourse. two managers have been suspended and the instructors involved have either been suspended or fired amid the continuing investigation into the incidents at cité-des-prairies centre in rivière-des-prairies, according to the health authority that oversees it.
the alleged misconduct was first revealed thursday by la presse and le devoir, who reported that over the past two years, at least nine instructors had sexual relations with at least five inmates and at least one of the instructors birthed a child fathered by an underage inmate.
the ciusss du centre-sud-de-l’île-de-montréal wouldn’t confirm those details pending the results of the investigation, beyond noting it was made aware of nine educators potentially implicated in misconduct, including at least one reported situation of intercourse and instances of sexual exchanges on social media.
the health authority declined an interview request with its director of youth protection on friday, but said in an email it launched an independent investigation by an external firm once it was made aware of allegations of sexual misconduct involving one inmate.
advertisement
“this report made us discover other elements that prompted our organization to launch the investigation,” the health authority said. “this type of situation is unacceptable and we take these allegations very seriously. … our priority is to guarantee the safety and well-being of young people.”
the ciusss explained the two managers were temporarily removed from their functions during the investigation “since their teams were directly affected.”
“we acted promptly to protect the young people affected by these situations,” the ciusss said. “we have put in place support measures for alleged victims and their families.”
quebec social services minister lionel carmant called the contents of the la presse report “more than disturbing” in a post on x (formerly twitter) on thursday, noting a police investigation is underway “to shed light on all the facts.”
“we will never tolerate situations of this kind,” carmant wrote. “abusing vulnerable young people is a criminal act and is subject to prosecution and conviction. everything will be done to guarantee the protection and safety of the young people under our responsibility.”
citing confidentiality reasons, montreal police wouldn’t confirm whether an investigation has been launched.
advertisement
in a statement friday morning, liberal mna brigitte garceau, who is the opposition critic for youth protection, called on carmant to launch a province-wide investigation into all youth and rehabilitation centres in quebec.
“scandalous stories continue to accumulate in the director of youth protection network and the minister has been responsible for them for six years,” garceau said. “is he even aware of what is happening in his network?”
garceau added she was disgusted by the situation at cité-des-prairies.
“this story makes my blood run cold,” she said. “if we no longer feel our young people are safe in these rehabilitation centres, where should we send them?”
cité-des-prairies mostly houses offenders under the age of 18 who have committed major crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, firearms offences and pimping. it’s the centre that receives the most complex of such cases in montreal, according to the ciusss.
a group representing the type of instructors who work in such centres, the association des éducatrices et éducateurs spécialisés du québec, said on friday the “unacceptable” situation at cité-des-prairies is an example of why the profession should be regulated by a professional order.
advertisement
spokesperson sylvain ratel said that’s something the association has been requesting for a decade.
“today, we see all kinds of consequences” in the absence of an order, he said.
one of the problems is that employers can hire people with diplomas other than those related to specialized education who aren’t qualified for the job, ratel explained.
that’s especially problematic since the profession involves working with some of the most vulnerable people in society.
“there’s a shortage of nurses, but we don’t hire people who aren’t nurses to practice,” ratel said. “there’s a shortage of dental hygienists, but we don’t do that either. why? because they’re regulated and legally structured, so it doesn’t happen.”
he pointed out that if the employees under investigation at cité-des-prairies were part of an order, they would likely lose their right to practice. while they may lose their current jobs, human resources files are confidential, so “there’s nothing preventing them from finding other (jobs), and the employers in the future won’t know what happened,” ratel said. that means the misconduct could continue elsewhere.
the ciusss said it expects to receive the findings of the investigation later this fall.
advertisement
“in the meantime, we are proactive in identifying preventive measures, improving our practices so that such situations are immediately reported and addressed,” it said.
those who wish to report information can do so confidentially at 514-896-3100.
share story
