Responding to a letter from BCGEU president Darryl Walker, the Solicitor General has indicated she hopes to make an announcement on the construction of a new correctional centre in the Okanagan shortly.

In the letter, Solicitor General Shirley Bond writes: "I hope to make an announcement very soon."

Bond also acknowledges the problems that exist in the province's overcrowded correctional centres.

Four communities in the Okanagan have expressed an interest in having the new correctional centre built in their community. They also took part in a consultation process with the government that began almost a year ago.

The BCGEU supported this consultation process and is now calling on the government to make a decision on the new facility which would help alleviate the chronic overcrowding in the existing prisons.

“Our correctional officers look forward to the construction of this long overdue new prison and hope the announcement comes soon,” says Darryl Walker president of the BCGEU. “This will be a step in the right direction. However, we have already raised with the provincial government our concerns regarding the new federal crime legislation and the impact it could have on the number of inmates in our system. This will require ongoing discussions to ensure that we address the overcrowding in our correctional facilities.” 

To read the entire letter from Solicitor General Bond click here.