Duty to Report

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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (Contact the host) Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov 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 Twitter: @dutytoreport Email: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (Contact the host) Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov 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: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (Contact the host) Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov Thank you for tuning in, and for all your incredible support!

In this episode, we hear from Carmen, a current Ontario Correctional Officer and veteran of 36 years and an anti-racism and mental health awareness advocate.  Carmen, speaks her truth as she opens up about the difficulties of being both black and a woman in Corrections. She talks about her inspiration for getting into Law Enforcement and the challenges she has faced along the way. Carmen shares her experiences of  racism and racial slurs, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination in her workplace. She provides incredible account of the difficulties of being a Black woman entering an  a predominantly white, male-driven, 'old boys club' environment. Carmen speaks to her experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace, and how common place that has been in Corrections as a woman from the very start of her career. She sheds light to the fact that these workplace issues between staff create profoundly negative impacts on offenders, their families, and members of the public paying for this service, and this is more than a 'staff on staff issue'.   As a passionate mental health advocate, she questions "who's there for the staff?" as this has given her a purpose in trying to take care of younger staff experiencing trauma and PTSD. The lack of effective supports from the Government for the mental health of Correctional Officers has been a constant reminder for her that there's more work and awareness that has to be done before she leaves.  In Part 2, Carmen dives deeper into her own personal accounts of egregious acts of racism and discrimination she has had to endure, how she has been treated as a Black Correctional Officer working in the Ontario Correctional system, and the challenges of reporting these issues in this field. Share, Subscribe, and Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Social Media Platforms: Instagram: @dutytoreportpodcast Twitter: @dutytoreport Email: dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com (Contact the Host) Tik Tok: @ioskoassenov Thank you for tuning in, and for all your incredible support!

In this episode, Former Government of Ontario Corrections Manager Elina Feyginberg begins to open candidly about what she has seen and experienced first hand behind closed doors. She talks about staff on staff bullying and reprisals from management if you even dare to speak out as well as other human rights violations that do exist in this field of wok. She speaks to the failed process of reporting and investigating serious human rights complaints, and how they are easily ignored. Elina opens up with me about the difficulties of reporting any of the issues we are discussing in this field and the workplace consequences that follow. She opens up about being sexually harassed at work, discriminated for opportunities she was qualified for, and the fact that many other injustices, including racial slurs, undeniably exist in this workplace. At the end of the episode she speaks to the importance of why the general public should be informed that these issues exist, but should also be concerned as taxpayers are quite literally "paying for staff abuse, but they just don't know it." If you have any questions for me, experiences you would like to share, or general feedback for this podcast, please send your comments directly to dutytoreportpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode features the first female Captain ever at the Don Jail in Toronto, Elina Feyginberg, who worked for Ontario Corrections as both a Correctional Officer and a Sergeant/Captain for 10 years. She has been speaking out and advocating for change against gender discrimination and inequality, bullying and harassment, corruption, and has been passionate about mental health and trauma that goes on in Corrections. Elina is also a Blue Line Forums writer and has published incredible articles and is well-versed in trauma as she holds a master's degree on trauma and addictions. In this episode, Elina and I discuss what a Correctional Officer's role is, what some of the most traumatic and difficult things she has faced at work were. She sheds light on the challenges of the job, the trauma of seeing death and making difficult decisions without adequate support from superiors, and how that all has a profound effect on the Correctional Officer and their mental health. At the end of this episode, Elina begins to speak about gender discrimination she stood against in her workplace as she refers to Ontario Corrections as an "old boys club." In Episode 3, she continues further details that depict a toxic work culture plagued with human rights violations, reprisals, and corruption, and explains how this effects the offender, the officer, and the public taxpayer.

This podcast goes over my background, why I wanted to go into Law Enforcement, as well as Corrections in particular, and what my intentions were going into this career. You will hear me speak about my personal experiences of being a visible minority Correctional Officer trainee attending Corrections Training, and the failures of the Provincial Correctional system in adequately preparing staff members for their role. I talk about what Correctional Officers duties are, the challenges you deal with in your first few weeks, things you see, and how you are tested by the offenders. I then begin to detail my very first experiences of hearing and witnessing racism at the Windsor Jail, within the Government of Ontario, and play a sample audio clip from other black and white staff, including a manager, who candidly speak about their experiences of racism in Ontario jails also. If you would like to contact the host of this podcast, or have questions, comments, or personal experiences you would like to share please feel free to email dutytoreport@gmail.com.

Duty To Report will dive into the heart of racism, corruption, law enforcement, and trauma as we hear about these issues from those working on the front lines of Corrections and other Law Enforcement roles. My name is Iosko Assenov. I am a former Correctional Officer, who worked in maximum-security facilities in Corrections, and has since become a Human Rights and Anti-Racism advocate. I am the creator and producer of Duty To Report. As an Officer, I was both subjected to and witnessed unbelievable acts of racism, harassment, and corruption perpetuated by my very own Law Enforcement colleagues and management. I witnessed as staff, offenders, and members of the public became the victims of abuse at the hands of those Law Enforcement staff sworn to protect and serve others. Although it was reported, those in positions of power willfully turned a blind eye. Duty To Report challenges the status quo by calling out injustice within our Correctional and Law Enforcement sectors of our society in an effort to bring forth real awareness to the fundamentally broken parts of our justice system, provide solutions, discuss healing, and inspire change. Duty To Report provides a platform for Officers, Professionals, Advocates, Offenders, and members of the public to come forward and speak openly about their own personal experiences of dealing with racism, discrimination, sexual harassment, gender inequality, reprisals, mental health, trauma, PTSD, and corruption in Corrections and other Law Enforcement fields.