Ex-corrections officer wants panel discussion on racism and harassment in sector

A former Ontario corrections officer is hoping to organize a panel discussion to talk about alleged harassment, racism and corruption that takes place in the corrections and law enforcement sector.

Iosko Assenov resigned from his job in 2016 because of severe depression, which he attributes to working conditions at the South West Detention Centre in Windsor, Ont. where he said he was subjected to bullying and racial slurs.

He has since made a 17-minute long YouTube video, which showcases voices from people who work in the same industry, talking about experiences they claim to have gone through.

"It's a positive thing that other officers now know that they're not alone, that there's a lot of people who feel the same way, share the same experiences," said Assenov.

One of the people featured in that video is Tyler Beechey, also a former officer at the Windsor facility.

Beechey described hearing racial slurs used regularly by fellow officers.

"A couple offenders even approached me and said, 'They've been calling me the n-word as well,'" he described, "Half of my offender population was biracial or a visible minority."

Assenov hopes that an event like a conference will help bring a united front for officers in corrections. He thinks there are many who choose not to speak up because of fear of reprisal from management.

Feedback and response

Assenov said people havereached out to him with their experiences and stories since he first spoke to CBC News last year, and also after he published his video in early May this year.

He says it's beendifficult to listen to some of those stories, but said one of the hardest parts is not getting any response from any levelof government.

"They have never responded to anything," he said.

CBC News has reached out to the Ministry of the Solicitor General for comment.

Assenov is currently undergoing a grievance process and it's at the arbitration stage. But he feels there should be a different type of action from government.

He wants the Canadian Human Rights Commission to stage an investigation.

"I think it needs to start from the top," said Assenov. "As it stands, the system fails us."