B.C. sheriffs will be taking over the job of escorting high security prisoners to other jurisdictions starting this month.

The program, often referred to as "Con Air", was previously being done by police departments, but now the province has taken over the responsibility, according to the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU), which represents sheriffs. The police have being doing Con Air escorts since the program started in late 2007.

The government informed sheriffs of the decision in an e-mail in late December.

“This is something we have advocated for with the employer since the program was unveiled and have said our sheriffs should have been doing all along”, said Dean Purdy, chair of the union’s Corrections and Sheriff Services Component. “Sheriffs are already responsible for picking up prisoners in other provinces who have warrants and are ordered by court to appear in B.C."

It is expected there will be approximately 30 escorts per year, which is roughly how many the police did last year. Prisoners who have outstanding warrants for serious crimes will be escorted to other parts of the country.

The program is being funded by the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General. This was previously funded by community groups and businesses.

"Since sheriffs are involved in the escort of prisoners from jail to court, this additional work falls neatly into their duties," said Purdy.

"We raised this issue with the employer some time ago and we are pleased to see it taking place now," said Purdy.

"In addition to this announcement, we are anxious for a decision from the government on adding traffic duties to the work of sheriffs. For some reason the government appears to be dragging their feet," he said. "The success of Con Air should encourage the government to proceed with the pilot project to give sheriffs the additional traffic duties we have offered to do.

"We've been hearing from the public for months now that they want to see the police concentrating on more serious crimes. It has been proven that by putting additional resources on the road and focusing more resources in this area, we will improve safety on the roads for all British Columbians," Purdy added.

There are currently 14 sheriffs trained for the pilot project waiting for it to get underway. Sheriffs are trained in Campbell River, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Salmon Arm, and Victoria.

”This has worked out very well from both an economical and operational stand point,” said Purdy. “Alberta has recently expanded their duties to include a gang task force.”