2011-feb-21 correction centre fact sheet 2
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FACTSHEETNo. 2
PROPOSEDCORRECTIONAL CENTREFACILITY
February 3, 2011
ProposedFacility
On January 31, 2011, the City engaged an impartial volunteer, Stewart Ladyman, tofacilitate a public meeting at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre to seek thecommunitys input on the concept of a proposed correctional facility in the Okanaganvalley. A number of questions were posed by the public and answers to thosequestions are provided below:
QuickFacts
Public Opinion
Q: Would the public have an opportunity to provide their input, concerns,opposition or support for the Correctional Centre?
A: Yes. City Council and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General staff
are committed to providing the facts and consulting with and listening to publicinput BEFORE making a decision.
Location
Q: Where would the proposed Correctional Centre be located?
A: The construction and operation of a Correctional Centre would benefit thelocal economy and increase employment for the region. As such, PentictonCity Council has instructed staff to work with the Regional District, FirstNations and surrounding municipalities to explore appropriate site optionswithin the region for consideration by the Solicitor General and the public.
Appearance of the Facility
Q: What would the facility look like?
A: New correctional centres are designed to blend into the area in which they arelocated. They are constructed to look like office buildings with lots of windows.The open space is located in the middle of the facility eliminating the need forunsightly barbwire fencing around the perimeter. To on-lookers, one would notbe able to identify it as a correctional facility unless you knew it was there. Toview an example of a modern correctional centre, please search the PrinceGeorge Regional Correctional Centre on the internet.
Impact on local RCMP Detachment
Q: What would the impact be on the local RCMP detachment?
A: Currently, the accused are held in local police cells, awaiting court outcomesor an escort to a distant correctional centre. The new Centre wouldsignificantly reduce pressure on the local police lockups as they would behoused in the correctional facility itself.
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What happens when offenders are released?
Q: Where will the offenders go after they are released from the correctionalcentre?
A: Offenders are given a bus ticket back to their home town.
Employment
Q: Where would the staff come from?
A: About 240 correctional staff would be employed at the Centre with a number ofadditional contracted staff on-site such as nurses, doctors, dentists, foodservice workers, trades personnel, and counsellors. BC Corrections wouldoffer employment opportunities and training for anyone wishing to pursueemployment in the Corrections field.
The project will also generate approximately 400 500 direct construction jobsas well as 600 indirect jobs during construction. Local contractors would haveevery opportunity to bid on the construction jobs.
Community Perception
Q: Would inmates be wearing shackles around town as part of an integrationprocess?
A: In most cases, there is no need for offenders to be in the community. Healthissues are dealt with on site through on-site dentists and doctors. Moreserious health issues requiring emergency medical treatment would require atrip to the hospital. In those cases, inmates are restrained, as necessary,escorted by staff to ensure public safety, and watched by correction staff for
the duration of the time the offender is in hospital care.
Level of Security
Q: Is it going to be a high security prison? Would it look like the facility inChilliwack where there is a 2m fence?
A: All correctional facilities are secure facilities using a combination of staffsupervision and the latest surveillance technologies. The proposed Centrewould accommodate remanded individuals awaiting trial and those sentencedto fewer than two years.
Thos offenders who are sentenced to more than 2 years are sent to federalpenitentiaries run by the Government of Canada and operated by theCorrectional Service of Canada. The proposed centre would be a provincialcorrectional centre operated by the Province of B.C.
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Funding the Facility?
Q: Who would pay to build the facility?
A: The Province would pay for the construction, operation and maintenance of theCentre.
Development Cost Charges?
Q: Would the Ministry be responsible for development cost charges?
A: Development Cost Charges would be applicable pursuant the CitysDevelopment Cost Charges Bylaw.
NextSteps:
Another public meeting will be held as soon as possible (date to be determined) wherestaff from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (Corrections Branch) willbe in attendance to address questions from members of the public. Potential sites willalso be revealed at that time.
ContactInfo:
Email: [email protected]
Address: Mayor and CouncilCity of Penticton171 Main StreetPenticton, BC V2A 5A9
Phone 250.490.2405
Visit our website at www.penticton.ca and click on the Proposed Correctional Facilitylink to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.