Changes flow from corrections review
Alberta is set to hire more probation officers, launch an electronic monitoring pilot project, and implement a smoking ban in adult jails as part of its response to a province-wide Government MLA Corrections Review. The moves are among 34 of the 38 recommendations being accepted.
"The
Corrections Review made recommendations that will ensure the department
continues to provide cost-effective programs that hold offenders accountable
and promote safe communities," said Solicitor General Heather Forsyth.
The MLA committee also reported that, overall, correctional services
in Alberta were cost effective and well managed.
Other recommendations include:
- Making the Young Offender Attendance Centre pilots in Calgary and Edmonton permanent (an enhanced program for young offenders serving time in the community).
- Expanding videoconferencing pending the outcome of a pilot project. Videoconferencing allows inmates to appear before the court via video link without having to be physically transported. (see p.1)
In response to the Corrections Review, the province will also be closing underutilized correctional operations, saving approximately $3 million annually. Those dollars combined with an additional $1 million in the 2004/05 budget will ensure a phased in implementation of the recommendations.
The underutilized operations that will be closed are:
- Lethbridge Young Offender Centre
- Young offender units in Medicine Hat and Red Deer Remand Centres
- Medicine Lodge, Tees, Footner Lake, Enviros Base, and Westcastle work camps
- Farming operations at Peace River, Fort Saskatchewan and Lethbridge Correctional Centres.
For a complete list of recommendations and copies of the review go to http://www.solgen.gov.ab.ca/corrections/.
