Mass. correction officers union slams body camera plan

The union representing Massachusetts correction officers is blasting a Baker administration plan to introduce body cameras at the state's maximum security prison.

The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union issued a statement saying the plan for body cameras at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center would endanger officers and can not be implemented without bargaining.

"Governor Baker has made great strides in becoming the most anti-public safety, anti-labor governor in America, but this latest proposal defies logic, common sense and is a new low, even for him," union lobbyist Guy Glodis said in the statement.

The union maintains that there are already cameras in state prisons and it accuses the Baker administration of retaliating over the union's opposition to the state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security declined to comment on the union's statement.

State public safety officials Thursday outlined plans for body camera pilot program at Souza, saying the program would strengthen accountability and transparency. The $1 million program, slated to begin this summer, is part of Baker's current budget proposal.

The move comes as the state faces two federal lawsuits alleging that Souza prisoners were beaten and abused during a lockdown after correction officers were assaulted at the prison in January 2020.

"Over my dead body will this anti-labor proposal be implemented during my tenure as legislative representative for MCOFU," said Kevin Flanagan, the union's legislative representative.