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Need for a new correctional facility in the Okanagan raised in Question Period - BCGEU

Published on May 18, 2010

The issue of the need for a new correctional centre in the Okanagan was raised in the legislature today. Members of the Component executive were at the legislature for Question Period.

The following is a transcript from Question Period. The exchange is between Mike Farnwoth (NDP - Port Coquitlam) and the Honourable Mike de Jong (Attorney General and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General).

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Afternoon Session, Tuesday, May 18, 2010

M. Farnworth: Two years ago and six Solicitors General ago, the government cancelled a press conference to announce a new corrections facility in the Central Okanagan, a corrections facility that was to help deal with the increasing problems and challenges that corrections officers face in this province, where they've seen increasing violence and the ratio in facilities of prisoners to corrections officers has increased significantly. In the case of Kamloops, the ratio is now 40 prisoners to one corrections officer.

Can the Solicitor General tell us when the Central Okanagan can expect to see a new corrections facility?

Hon. M. de Jong: Mr. Speaker, the issue is a serious one and relates to not just the housing of prisoners but the fact that we are taking other steps, both on the investigative side and on the prosecutorial side, to aggressively pursue those who commit the most serious of crimes. The demand on the system is the fact that we are taking other steps, both on the investigative side and the prosecutorial side, to aggressively pursue those who commit the most serious of crimes. So the demand on the system is increasing. That's why we're anxious and have proceeded with the new facility that is under construction in Surrey that will provide an outlet for the increased capacity that we need. And we are, of course, continuing to explore and move ahead with the provision of additional facilities elsewhere in the province.

Note: This is a rough transcript, taken from the Hansard "Blues."

The BCGEU issued a news release earlier today calling on the provincial government to build the facility. The union released a copy of a letter from the government saying they did not have any plans for a centre and no funds. You can read the news release by clicking here.