High-security terror trial puts jail safety in spotlight

High-security terror trial puts jail safety in spotlightNeco Cockburn, The Ottawa CitizenPublished: Friday, June 27, 2008

In light of the extraordinary displays of security at the Ottawa courthouse during Momin Khawaja's trial this week, serious questions are being raised about whether safety at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, where the terror suspect has been housed since his arrest in March 2004, is adequate.

Dave Lundy, an official with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents correctional officers at the provincial jail on Innes Road, said the heavy police presence accompanying Mr. Khawaja's trial underscores a lack of security at the detention centre.

"When you look at the security around the courthouse, the snipers on the roof and guards all around the place and then you look at where he's being housed ... it's a real security risk," Mr. Lundy said.