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An investigation is underway at an eastern juvenile detention center where at least nine instructors are alleged to have been involved in sexual misconduct with inmates, including at least one case of outright sexual intercourse.

Two managers have been suspended and the instructors involved have either been suspended or fired amid the ongoing investigation into the incidents at the Cité-des-Prairies center in Rivière-des-Prairies, according to the health authority that oversees it.

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The alleged misconduct was only revealed last Thursday by the La Presse and Le Devoirwhich reported that at least nine instructors had sexual relations with at least five inmates and at least one of the instructors fathered a child fathered by a minor inmate.

The CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal would not confirm these details pending the outcome of the investigation, except to note that it became aware of nine teachers potentially involved in misconduct, including at least one reported situation of intercourse and instances of sexual exchange on social media.

The health authority declined an interview request with its director of youth protection on Friday, but said in an email that it launched an independent investigation by an outside firm when it became aware of allegations of sexual abuse involving an inmate.

“This report led us to discover other elements that prompted our organization to start the investigation,” the health authority said. “This type of situation is unacceptable and we take these allegations very seriously. … Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of young people.”

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CIUSSS explained that the two managers were temporarily removed from their functions during the investigation “because their teams were directly affected.”

“We assure you that we acted quickly to protect the youth affected by these situations,” CIUSSS said. “We have put in place support measures for alleged victims and their families.”

Quebec Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant called the contents of the La Presse report “more than disturbing” in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, noting that a police investigation is underway “to shed light on all the facts.”

“We will never tolerate situations like this,” Carmant wrote. “Abusing vulnerable young people is a criminal act and is subject to prosecution and conviction. Everything will be done to ensure the protection and safety of the young people in our charge.”

Citing privacy concerns, Montreal police would not confirm whether an investigation had been launched.

In a statement Friday morning, opposition youth welfare critic Liberal MNA Brigitte Garceau called on Carmant to launch a province-wide investigation into all youth and rehabilitation centers in Quebec.

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“Scandalous stories continue to accumulate in the Director of Youth Protection network and the minister has been responsible for them for six years,” Garceau said. “Is he even aware of what’s going on in his network?”

Garceau added that she was disgusted by the situation in Cité-des-Prairies.

“This story makes my blood run cold,” she said. “If we no longer feel that our youth are safe in these rehabilitation centers, where are we going to send them?”

Cité-des-Prairies houses mostly offenders under the age of 18 who have committed serious crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, firearms offenses and pimping. It is the center that receives the most complex of such cases in Montreal, according to CIUSSS.

The health authority said it expects to receive the results of the investigation later this fall.

“In the meantime, we are proactive in identifying preventative measures, improving our practices so that such situations are promptly reported and addressed,” it said.

Those wishing to report information can contact 514-896-3100.

“It is completely confidential,” the health authority said.

[email protected]

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