By TOM GODFREY, Toronto Sun
More than two dozen young offenders at a tough teen jail were given lessons on black history by a high-powered team that included Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, Peel police and probation officers.
The youths are among 115 detained at the Roy McMurtry Youth Centre in Brampton, home of some of the worst male and female offenders aged 12 to 17 in the province.
The secure facility, which opened last May, has been the scene of bullying and gang attacks against younger teens.
Last week, a deputy administrator was assaulted by inmates, officials confirmed on Wednesday. There were no serious injuries.
Centre officials on Wednesday refused to allow the Toronto Sun to cover the Black History Month event.
But one of those who told his story to the young offenders was Warren “Smokey” Thomas, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
“Nobody would have ever known I would be the leader of a powerful union considering the area where I grew up.”
Thomas told the offenders about growing up poor in Kingston, Jamaica.
“A large number of the inmates are black or of African descent,” he said Wednesday. “I told them they can turn their lives around and become whatever they want.”
McCallion said some of the offenders came from broken homes and had difficult lives.
“I told them we will support them in their rehabilitation,” she said before leaving to attend the Olympic Games. “I told them of all the opportunities available for them in the City of Mississauga.”
Barry Dolan, a Peel cop and head of the Canadian Emergency Services Boxing Association, who helped organize the visit, said many of the teens had troubled lives.
“We were very well received by the youths,” Dolan said. “Some of them were pretty hardened kids and we tried to reach out to them.”
Canadian Commonwealth cruiserweight boxing champ Troy Ross was a hit with the youths. Some said they wanted to learn to box so he gave them a demonstration.
Also attending were two probation officers.
Peter Spadoni of the Ontario ministry of Children and Youth Services said the teens were well-behaved and asked questions.
“It was a good visit and they appreciated the speeches and messages,” Spadoni said. “The youths were very responsive to the panel.”
The 192-bed secure custody facility has a secondary school and a multi-faith religious centre on site.
