This is Part 3 of the Panel Interview I hosted and produced. 

It's a one of a kind 3 PART panel interview comprised of 5 current and former Correctional Officers, one of which was a former Sergeant, who wanted to publicly come forward together, and speak to the public about the injustices, discrimination, blatant racism, and reprisals they have faced in the Ontario Correctional system. They provide their personal experiences and anecdotes on the state of this sector of the justice system, speak to the challenges of working in a toxic work culture, the challenges of reporting workplace abuses in Corrections, and how all of their pain and suffering effects the general public directly, especially the taxpayers who are often inadvertently funding these abuses.

You can find the Video itself on YouTube as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VzIVJUCnZI

Produced by: Iosko Assenov - Duty To Report Podcast DUTY TO REPORT PODCAST

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

Twitter: @dutytoreport

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov

Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support!

This is Part 2 of a Panel Interview I hosted and produced. It is a one of a kind 3 PART panel interview comprised of 5 current and former Correctional Officers, one of which was a former Sergeant, who wanted to publicly come forward together, and speak to the public about the injustices, discrimination, blatant racism, and reprisals they have faced in the Ontario Correctional system. They provide their personal experiences and anecdotes on the state of this sector of the justice system, speak to the challenges of working in a toxic work culture, the challenges of reporting workplace abuses in Corrections, and how all of their pain and suffering effects the general public directly, especially the taxpayers who are often inadvertently funding these abuses.

You can find the Video itself on YouTube as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGh3Ok9VBYk&t=1280s

Produced by: Iosko Assenov - Duty To Report Podcast DUTY TO REPORT PODCAST

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

Twitter: @dutytoreport

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov

Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support!

I hosted and produced a one of a kind 3 PART panel interview comprised of 5 current and former Correctional Officers, one of which was a former Sergeant, who wanted to publicly come forward together, and speak to the public about the injustices, discrimination, blatant racism, and reprisals they have faced in the Ontario Correctional system. They provide their personal experiences and anecdotes on the state of this sector of the justice system, speak to the challenges of working in a toxic work culture, the challenges of reporting workplace abuses in Corrections, and how all of their pain and suffering effects the general public directly, especially the taxpayers who are often inadvertently funding these abuses. 

You can find the Video itself on YouTube as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7OA9wTiPpY&t=7s

Produced by: Iosko Assenov - Duty To Report Podcast DUTY TO REPORT PODCAST 

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast 

Twitter: @dutytoreport 

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host) 

Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov 

Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support! 

SHOW LESS

(For the full interview you can find it on my YouTube channel Duty to Report Podcast) 

Link Provided Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPOT5n1VUJU&t=3387s

In today’s Episode, I interview Bob Ranger for the second time giving him an opportunity to educate us about various components of his case, and speak to me candidly about what's kept him so resilient after 30 years of fighting for his Human Rights, what this case has meant to him, what he hopes for Correctional staff in the future, advice he has for others, and what this Podcast and movement means to him. 

Bob Ranger is still a current Government of Ontario employee speaking his truth. Bob Ranger is a gay man, who was a Correctional Officer for our Provincial Jail system, through Ontario Corrections. When his colleagues found out he was gay, they put him through absolute hell. The former Correctional officer endured profoundly humiliating homophobic harassment, much of which was perpetuated from his own Union President. It’s one thing for the offenders to abuse you in a jail at work, it’s a whole other issue when your own managers are perpetuating the abuse and allowing for you to be the recipient of gay slurs, discrimination, and non-stop harassment.

Bob is the recipient of the Grievance Settlement Board’s largest ever award compensation. He has won a Landmark Decision case that has set precedent for others. This however, has come at a huge personal cost to him.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/gay-former-ottawa-jail-guard-gets-98k-in-homophobia-suit-1.1321771

https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/11/18/gay_ontario_jail_guard_bob_ranger_suffered_poisoned_workplace.html

Bob and I have a very emotional, very real, in-depth, heart to heart follow up conversation that is meant to educate, inspire others, and give context to his case and the challenges of coming forward as a victim of discrimination.

Bob Is resilient, inspiring, and the true definition of what it looks like to 'champion' for Human Rights. I had to give him a second Interview, as he had so much more to share. 

If you like this content make sure to  Share, Subscribe, an Follow Duty to Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Social Media:

DUTY TO REPORT PODCAST

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

Twitter: @dutytoreport

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov

Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support!

(For the full interview you can find it on my YouTube channel Duty to Report Podcast)

Link Provided Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRPPQdrfrzs

In today’s Episode, I interview Bob Ranger, a pioneer and champion in fighting for Human Rights in Corrections.

So who is Bob Ranger? 

Bob Ranger is still a current  Government of Ontario employee. Bob Ranger is a gay man, who was a Correctional Officer for our Provincial Jail system, through Ontario Corrections. 

Bob worked out of the OCDC – Ottawa Centre Jail. When his colleagues found out he was gay, they put him through absolute hell. The former Correctional officer endured profoundly humiliating homophobic harassment, much of which was perpetuated from his own Union President. 

He endured tremendous abuse, not stuff you can just shrug off your shoulders. It’s one thing for the offenders to abuse you in a jail at work, it’s a whole other issue when your own managers are perpetuating the abuse and allowing for you to be the recipient of gay slurs, discrimination, and non-stop harassment.

How do you work in that environment? How do you feel protected ? How do you do your job effectively? How do you preserve your dignity and self-worth? How do you have faith in these same colleagues to have your back?

These are the questions I ask Bob Ranger, as he recounts 30 years of abuse at the hands of his colleagues and managers, he shares his trials and tribulations, what he has learned, and what needs to change. 

Bob is the recipient of the Grievance Settlement Board’s largest ever award compensation. He has won a Landmark Decision case that has set precedent for others. This however, has come at a huge personal cost to him.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/gay-former-ottawa-jail-guard-gets-98k-in-homophobia-suit-1.1321771

https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/11/18/gay_ontario_jail_guard_bob_ranger_suffered_poisoned_workplace.html

Bob recognizes that he is one of many cases, and he is not alone in the abuse he has suffered. Bob feels obligated to speak out and share his story, in the hopes that others won't have to endure what he has in future generations. Bob also makes it clear that although the workplace abuse effected him directly, it also effects us all as taxpayers, and shares why it's vital we learn about what's actually going on.

Bob Is resilient, inspiring, and the true definition of what it looks like to 'champion' for Human Rights.

DUTY TO REPORT PODCAST

Please Share, Subscribe, an Follow Duty to Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Social Media:

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

Twitter: @dutytoreport

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov

Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support!

(For the full interview you can find it on my YouTube channel Duty to Report Podcast 

@ https://youtu.be/D3DsCpqOfF0

In this episode I interview Emily O'Brien, a young woman who was a former Provincial and Federal jail offender. 

Emily had attempted to smuggle drugs across the border, and was caught. She served her time, paid her dues, though a four year sentence. During her time in custody, Emily decided she had to change things around, and took ownership of her life and situation. 

Emily decided to begin her own business, creating popcorn and snacks, branding it, and selling it to retailers.

Today, Emily has connected and sold her product to many retailers and chains across the Province. 

In this story of second chances, I interview Emily about how she was able to overcome her past, what led her to committing crime in the first place, what her experiences as an offender were on the other side of the bars, what the differences between Provincial and Federal jails were for her, and how things could get better or what needs to change for there to be more effective rehabilitation for offenders. 

This isn't about the popcorn, its about her story of how she was able to keep a life free of crime, and make the best of her second chance. Today, Emily is employing other offenders coming out of jail, and her business is booming.

DUTY TO REPORT PODCAST

Please Share, Subscribe, an Follow Duty to Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Social Media:

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

Twitter: @dutytoreport

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov

Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support!

This is a very brief portion of Yusuf’s Unascertained Podcast that includes portions of an interview with me. 

In this 3 minute teaser you will get a quick glimpse of TVO’s Unascertained Podcast, Episode 5, Called the Code of Silence. This Podcast was Produced by Yusuf Zine, and Kevin Young at Innerspeak.

In the brief portion you’re about to hear, Yusuf Interviews me to get my perspective about the Corrections Subculture in Ontario, the killing of Soleiman FAQIRI, and how the ‘code of silence’ allows abuse, corruption, racism, human rights violations, even death to go unaccounted for.

I highly encourage everyone to check out this podcast, it’s received tremendous reviews as an investigative true-crime podcast, it’s been featured in the media, and you can read up on it online.

To make it easier, I have attached a link to the Unascertained podcast you can click on here:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/unascertained/id1559615719

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66piID0CN1nXbel6NxxZj2?si=8165230adadd444a

Thanks for listening, please share and subscribe to Duty to Report. Your support is incredible and appreciated!

In this final Part of our in-depth interview together, Yusuf Zine shares the things that shocked him about Corrections, the sub-culture, the challenges he endured as he put his investigative work together to produce the 'Unascertained' Podcast. We discuss the impact of mental health offenders in custody, the current state of Corrections from our individual perspectives, and dive deep into the killing of Soleiman Faqiri, at the Lindsay Jail, originally seen as an 'unascertained' death, now that ruling is being overturned by Ontario's Chief Pathologist. 

Yusuf, as a member of the public new to the world of Corrections, brings a completely unique and fresh public's  perspective into this podcast discussion and gives us amazing insight on topics of what he has come to learn about Corrections culture. Topics including: toxic work issues, code of silence, beauracratic challenges, mental health in custody, investigations, accountability, the challenges of fighting for justice in Corrections, the trauma put on families losing loved ones in custody, in addition to the trauma experienced by officers themselves.

He makes it clear to those tuning in that we all have a vested interest in hearing about the issues covered by Duty to Report, he provides reasons why these are not just 'work-related' issues that can be ignored, and further explains how all of these Ontario Correctional Provincial jail issues are negatively effecting our society as a whole.

Soleiman Faqiri Case Article Links:

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/04/07/unascertained-new-tvo-podcast-probes-the-unanswered-questions-of-soleiman-faqiris-beating-death-inside-an-ontario-jail.html

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/08/09/soleiman-faqiris-death-caused-by-correctional-guards-in-lindsay-jail-coroners-report-confirms.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/accountability-report-death-soleiman-faqirir-1.6159206

DUTY TO REPORT PODCAST 

Please Share, Subscribe, an Follow Duty to Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Social Media:

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

Twitter: @dutytoreport

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

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Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support!

In this episode, I interview Yusuf Zine, a passionate and creative Director and Producer of TVO's Unascertained. 

Yusuf is an award winning Director, who's work has been screened around the world and has been featured in major international news outlets such as The Guardian, Al-Jazeera, CBC and more.

Yusuf speaks to me about his Podcast, 'Unascertained', an 8 part TVO podcast that dives into the troubling story of Soleiman Faqiri, a 30 year old man diagnosed with schizophrenia whose tragic 2016 death at the Ontario Correctional Facility known as the Lindsay Jail had been deemed 'unascertained' or unknown despite the fact that Soleiman was pepper sprayed, shackled, and wearing a spit hood. The podcast tries to investigate this death, follow's the family's search for justice, and and find out just what went wrong and why.

In this episode, Yusuf and I begin sharing how we met, and the challenges he faced in finding anyone in the Ontario Correctional system willing to step-forward and speak out. Yusuf reached out to me with the intention to have me in a podcast to make sense of this case. I speak to Yusuf about why people in Ontario Corrections are so afraid to speak out, and why I spoke out, why I continue to do so, and why the listeners need to hear these experiences. 

Unascertained Podcast - Link (Apple Podcast Link), Can also be found on Spotify or other Podcast Hosts

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/unascertained/id1559615719

Please Share, Subscribe, an Follow Duty to Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Social Media: 

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

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Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

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Thank you for tuning in, and thank you for all your incredible support!

Part two is a deeper continuation of the toxicity that Carmen experienced and what she feels continues to exist in this sub-culture today. 

In this episode, Carmen speaks about her specific examples of overt racism in the workplace and the use of the n-word against her by her male colleague, as well as how the investigation was handled. She shares her experiences of hearing offenders and her colleagues being called derogatory terms by staff, and the fact that there are larger systemic issues at play. She sheds light on health and safety issues that resulted in her getting injured by an offender, she speaks on how the sub-culture today she sees as worse 36 years later than when she first began her career, and provides concrete examples to substantiate. We also hear her examples of dealing with overdoses, offender deaths (hangings), and the trauma that staff typically have to endure and are often not adequately supported through as they face it alone, and without sufficient support from their employer.

Share, Subscribe, an Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Social Media Platforms:

Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast

Twitter: @dutytoreport

Email: [email protected] (Contact the host)

Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov

Thank you for tuning in, and for all your incredible support!