Corrections, Police and Courts History
1873
North West Mounted Police (NWMP) formed.
1874
First NWMP outpost established in Fort McLeod.
1875
Construction begins on another NWMP outpost in Fort Saskatchewan for policing
in central and northern Alberta.
1878
First court session in Fort Saskatchewan court.
1886
Francis Jeffery Dickens, the third son of Charles Dickens, leaves the NWMP after a career that included several years posted near Fort McLeod. He died the same year.
1899
Medicine Hat courthouse built.
1904
The prefix “Royal” was conferred on the
NWMP by King Edward VII in June 1904.
1905
The Alberta Act established Alberta as a province. The new government, under A.C. Rutherford, moved quickly to establish a provincial justice system and a civil service
to operate it.
1905
Alberta Law Society formed.
1908
The first Alberta Gaols and Prisons Act was passed. The legislation, which was not significantly revised until 1942, provided for the establishment of one or more gaols and identified the basic responsibilities of provincial “gaolers and turnkeys.” The Act was fairly enlightened for its time: while section 7 of the Act referred to offenders who were “imprisoned with hard labour” the preceding section gave prison officials authority for the purchase of books for a library, and the purchase of materials and equipment to conduct classes for prisoners.
1909
Courthouse built in Fort Saskatchewan.
1911
Lethbridge Gaol opens 110 cells and six dormitories with an initial design capacity of 168. At the gaol’s entrance a large sign was hung that said “LETHBRIDGE PROVINCIAL GAOL - KEEP OUT.”
1912
Inmate Petterson was awarded three days confinement in a Dark Cell and was placed in a “striped suit & Oregon Boot” for “escaping from his gang when out working this p.m.”
- Lethbridge Gaol Punishment Register.
1912
Offenders incarcerated at the Lethbridge Gaol were provided writing paper for correspondence purposes. On the top of every page the following was written for the edification of the persons who received letters from inmates at the gaol in 1912:
Parties corresponding with prisoners will carefully observe the following directions, viz: - Write plainly in English, confine yourself strictly to family and business matters. All letters are examined by Gaol Officials before delivery to prisoners. Prisoners will be allowed to receive fruit from friends but no other eatables. No newspapers are allowed. Friends may write as often as they wish, prisoners may write near relatives once every calendar month, and see their near relatives on Wednesdays, between the hours of 1 and 3 pm. But on no account will visitors be allowed to visit the Institution on Holidays or Sundays except by special permission from the Warden.
1913
Inmate King was given three days confinement in the Dark Cell plus “bread & water” for “having cocaine in his possession.”
- Lethbridge Gaol Punishment Register.
1914
Construction begins on the province’s second gaol on the site of the NWMP reserve at Fort Saskatchewan. To offset the $200,000 construction cost, the prisoners at the Fort Saskatchewan Gaol performed most of the excavation and construction work. The facility, which had an initial design capacity of 200 (later increased to 300), opened in the fall of 1915.
1917
Alberta Provincial Police take charge of policing in Alberta.
1918
Construction completed on a women’s gaol on the grounds of the Fort Saskatchewan Gaol.
Farming was the most common occupation in Alberta and there was a great need for farm labour throughout Alberta. Naturally, gaols soon acquired large amounts of land that was utilized for mixed farming. This was the kind of work familiar to most of the inmates and it was the occupation that most offenders would return to when released from custody. At their peak, inmates at the Fort Saskatchewan facility cultivated approximately 1,000 acres and those at the Lethbridge Gaol worked 1,200 acres of farmland. Revenue from the large prison farm operations helped to reduce operating costs and pay for maintenance. Between 1918 and the early 1920s Albertans experienced many hardships due to a lengthy drought in the summer and colder than usual winters that depleted feed and wore out livestock. In 1923, prisoners were enlisted from the Fort Saskatchewan Gaol to assist local farmers
with their crops.
In addition, groups of prisoners worked on the roads between Belmont and Scotford, or for the Department of Agriculture at Oliver. The revenue from such employment lowered per capita costs of incarceration and, as a result, further attempts were made throughout the 1920s to increase the scope of outside employment for prisoners.
“This has been a year of severe trial in many ways, especially owing to the continued drought, with hot, dry, strong winds during the summer and the visitation of Influenza during the early winter months. The securing of satisfactory help continues to be a serious proposition but perhaps with the coming of Peace we may be able to secure men who will take an interest in this class of work.”
– Warden J.H. Rivers writing in the Lethbridge Provincial Gaol’s 1918 annual report.
1920
Federal policing is reorganized. The RNWMP absorb the Dominion Police and become the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Responsibility for federal law enforcement is extended to all provinces and territories.
1921
Court of Appeal of Alberta created.
1923
New courthouse built in Medicine Hat.
1923
Florence Lassandro was executed. She was the only woman in Alberta to ever be executed.
Emilio Picariello and Florence Lassandro were rumrunners during a time of Prohibition in Alberta’s history. They were hanged for the murder of Constable Stephen Lawson, an Alberta Provincial Police officer and father of five. In a rare move, the Attorney General at the time, John E. Brownlee, was present to lay the charges and attended the entire trial. The case was argued all the way to the Supreme Court. Amid a public outcry over the proposed hanging of a woman, Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King made the final determination that the sentence would be carried out.
For more information on this and other cases, please visit www.albertasource.ca/lawcases/criminal/criminalcases.htm
1927
Mrs. Florence Carlisle was appointed the first female Clerk of the Court and Assistant Sheriff in Canada. Police Magistrate Emily Murphy was among those who sent letters of congratulations.
1929
In the Persons case, the British Privy Council declares women persons and eligible to sit in the Senate of Canada.
1929
Vernon Booher was executed at the Fort Saskatchewan Gaol.
Booher, 20, was suspected of murdering his mother, brother, and two farm hands on the family farm near Mannville, Alberta. Booher claimed he had discovered the bodies after returning home from work. The murder weapon could not be found.
The police did discover, however, a spent cartridge from a .303 rifle at the murder scene. While Booher did not own this type of weapon, a neighbor had reported that his .303 rifle and a box of shells had been stolen the day before the murders. The police invited a renowned Austrian medium and alleged mind reader, Dr. Adolph Maximilien Langsner, to attend the inquest, posing as a reporter, and report on his observations. Dr. Langsner was also given an opportunity to sit outside Booher’s cell for an hour. As a result of these encounters, Langsner told police he believed Booher was the murderer. Further, by intercepting the young man’s thought waves as he answered questions at the inquest, he was certain the murder weapon could be found hidden in a clump of long grass and brush just west of the farmhouse.
Acting on the psychic’s tip, police found the .303 rifle near the house among long grass and brush. Langsner was able to provide further information that helped solve the crime. When confronted with the evidence, Booher confessed telling police he had snuck out of church the week before and taken the rifle from his neighbor’s home. He said he was upset with his mother when she refused to support his desire to marry a local girl.
Booher’s confession was ultimately not allowed as evidence in his trial. His conviction was later quashed on technical objections and a new trial ordered. He was convicted again at the second trial when a further confession was revealed.
1932
First formal education program for offenders
was introduced. A teacher from the town of Fort Saskatchewan came to the jail two evenings a month and taught 10 offenders basic academic upgrading. Ninety-seven per cent of offenders participated and the project was even more successful the following year.
1937
Premier William Aberhart introduced legislation to require newspapers to print government information releases and reveal reporter’s sources. The Lieutenant Governor, John Cameron Bowen, refused to give Royal Assent to the legislation and the case was argued all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. The bills were ultimately ruled unconstitutional and in violation of the British North America Act. For more information, please visit www.albertasource.ca/lawcases/constitutional/constitutionalcases.htm.
1940 - 41
The average cost per day per offender was 90 cents.
1945 - 46
The average cost per day per offender was $1.36.
Fact: According to the 1938-39 Lethbridge Provincial Gaol’s Annual Report “known recidivists of all ages supplied 59.84 per cent of the Gaol population.”
1946
The second-largest mass execution in Canadian history took place at the Lethbridge Gaol. During the Second World War five Prisoner of War (PoW) camps were located in Alberta, with one of the largest situated near Medicine Hat. At its peak, Medicine Hat Internment Camp 132, which was one of the biggest in Canada, held approximately 12,000 prisoners. Two murders occurred at the camp during its operation.
The first prisoner murdered was August Plaszek, who was once a member of the German unit in the French Foreign Legion. Upon his return to Germany he was placed in the German army. Apparently, the majority of the PoWs in Alberta were members of the Afrika Korps who had been captured during the North Africa campaign. The ruling clique of prisoners in the Medicine Hat and Lethbridge camps consisted of members of the Gestapo and the Nazi Party, and these extremists blamed people like the ex-Legionnaires (there were four such outcasts in the Medicine Hat camp) for German defeats in the battle in North Africa.
August Plaszek was believed by these camp “heavies” of plotting against their leadership. On
July 22, 1943, in a court of their own making, Plaszek was interrogated, beaten and then hanged from a wooden beam in one of the camp’s recreation halls. Eventually, three German PoWs were charged with the murder: one was acquitted, one was given a life sentence and one (Werner Schwalb) was hanged at the Lethbridge Gaol in June 1946. Schwalb’s last words before being hanged apparently were, in German, of course: “My Fuehrer, I follow thee.”
The second PoW’s murder occurred 15 months later. The man killed was Dr. Karl Lehmann, a professor of languages and an Afrika Korps veteran. He was found hanging from a gas pipe in one of the barracks. Lehmann had apparently been an outspoken critic of the Nazi Party, and had talked publicly about Germany losing the war. His remarks were untimely, as the Gestapo and Nazi extremists in the camp were apparently spurred to action against him after hearing a speech made by Hitler following the failed plot on his life by a group of his officers in 1944.
Four prisoners in Internment Camp 132 were eventually charged with Lehmann’s murder and all were executed in December 1946. Another offender, who had been convicted of molesting and murdering two children, was also hung that day at the Lethbridge Provincial Gaol.
1948
John Howard Society of Alberta was established. The provincial government provided the society with an office and a $30,000 grant for its first year
of operation.
1953
A separate correctional institution for young persons between the ages of 16 and 25 years was constructed and opened in Bowden. At the time, Bowden was regarded as a very progressive institution and one of the first “direct supervision” style correctional facilities to be built in North America. Bowden, when completed, held approximately 240 offenders in 16 dormitories. Classrooms and vocational trades training were all under one roof.
Farm buildings consisted of “a dairy barn, pasturing plant piggery, hennery, root cellars and granaries.” The facility also boasted three baseball diamonds, a football field, a basketball court, a skating rink, a gymnasium and a library.
Bowden maintained approximately 600 acres of land under cultivation and harvested up to 20,000 bushels of grain annually. A herd of about 40 Holstein cows produced 750 lbs. of milk daily. The institution’s piggery held 475 hogs and a large greenhouse supplied a variety of vegetables, bedding plants and ornamental plants for offices and landscaping. A weather-reporting station operated in conjunction with the greenhouse, and made monthly reports to the Department of Transportation regarding temperature, precipitation and wind. The work of the offenders was carried out under the instruction of a qualified horticulturalist.
1954
Legislation was passed that formally provided for adult probation supervision in the community resulting in the formation of the Alberta Adult Probation Branch. Two years earlier the Juvenile Offenders Branch was developed after an investigation of juvenile delinquency problems within the province indicated that delinquent children needed a special type of treatment. Neglected children, it was felt, should be separated from delinquent children and consequently responsibility for juvenile delinquents was transferred from the Department of Public Welfare to the Attorney General’s department.
Subsequently, probation services in Alberta steadily increased. The increasing use of probation by the courts and the need to provide service to small towns and rural communities in Alberta resulted in the opening of Community Corrections offices in Edson, Medicine Hat and St. Paul in 1960, in Hardisty in 1963, in Westlock in 1965 and in Lac La Biche in 1966.
1956
The Belmont Rehabilitation Centre was completed to provide professional care and assistance to alcoholic offenders. The new centre located in Edmonton was designed as a 50-bed treatment facility but quickly expanded to 130 beds. In 1977, Belmont was formally designated as a Community Correctional Centre to assist incarcerated offenders with reintegration into the community. In 1986, the centre was used to house a large number of federal day parolees. By the early 1990s, Belmont had a bed capacity of 252, 50 beds of which were utilized for intermittent servers. On June 30, 1994, the Belmont facility was closed.
1956
The Federal Fauteux Commission report was released. The commission concluded that an emphasis on treatment was necessary to promote the reform and rehabilitation of the offender and recommended that a number of alternatives be made available to offenders within correctional institutions. In particular, they suggested the upgrading of vocational training programs and facilities and that greater attention be given to the recruitment and training of professional staff.
1958
Construction began on the Alberta Institution for Girls, a facility for girls under the age of 18 years committed to custody by the Juvenile Court.
1958
The Calgary Provincial Jail officially opened with capacity for 184 inmates on land known locally as Spy Hill Dairy Farm. Initially, one officer and 11 inmates were transferred in May 1956 from Bowden Institution to occupy the premises and operate the farmland. The first section of the jail opened in 1958 with an extension completed in 1961. In addition to operating the farm, offenders were employed in the operation of a cement block manufacturing plant and a boot manufacturing plant. By the mid-1960s operations were turning out 600-700 bush boots, 400-500 regular boots, and 10,000 bricks annually. A school
program, supervised by a full-time teacher, and vocational training were also offered in addition to group therapy and counseling for alcoholism.
1960
Robert Raymond Cook was hanged in Fort Saskatchewan for the murder of his father. Also found dead were his stepmother and five half-brothers and sisters.
He was the last person hanged in Alberta.
1963
J.D. McLean, the longest serving Correctional Centre Director in the history of Alberta’s correctional services, retired after 37 years.
1966 - 67
The Lethbridge Provincial Gaol’s vegetable canning operation, which employed about 20 inmates, produced 41,475 gallons of canned vegetables.
1966 - 1967
Inmates at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Institution produced nearly a million licence plates using 315 tons of steel. The operation was introduced in 1954 and as late as 1971-72, was producing the least expensive product in North America, at about 15 cents a plate. The operation was terminated in 1974 as production costs could no longer be met.
1967
Six inmates at the Lethbridge Provincial Gaol attacked and severely beat up a correctional officer before escaping through a dormitory window.
1968
Two inmates at the Lethbridge Provincial Gaol attempted to escape by striking a staff member over the head with an iron bar. Although bleeding profusely, the correctional officer overcame them and prevented the escape.
1968
The new Peace River Provincial Jail opens and replaces the trailer camp established in 1964.
A quarter of the 438-acre site was used for a
market garden operation.
1968
W.T. McGrath Report of a study of Alberta’s correctional services recommended that:
- Aboriginal communities should become more involved in the delivery of corrections programs to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal people in custody.
- the Department of Attorney General be renamed the Department of Justice.
- salaries of correctional officers should be comparable to police officers’ wages.
- the profile of correctional services be raised and that the Director of Corrections be elevated to Deputy Minister status.
The McGrath Report helped initiate a process for budget approval for facility renovations and renewal. It also paved the way for the reorganization of the department and the subsequent creation of a stand-alone ministry of the Solicitor General a few years later.
1969
Two remand unit staff members of the Calgary Correctional Centre were attacked by 16 inmates who then overpowered the remainder of the night shift, took four hostages and escaped. One hostage was taken for a wild chase before police captured them.
1969
Criminal Code of Canada amendments greatly expanded the use of probation.
“Attacks on staff have become more frequent in recent years, a reflection of a new trend in crime and disrespect for authority as well as a new type of criminal.” – 1969-70 adult correctional institutions annual report.
Fact: In 1969-70, correctional officers received an average salary of $500 per month, a 60 per cent increase over the average salary of $300 a month in 1965.
1974
The first Chief Recording Technician was hired
for Alberta courts. A Central Recording System provided cutting edge court reporting technology in Calgary Provincial Court. The system allowed for better management and production of court transcripts. It was often referred to as the “Cadillac of court recording systems” due to its high level of performance and reliability.
1974
The first women were recruited as uniformed regular members of the RCMP.
1975
Kirby Report led to the establishment of Judicial Clerks and recommended that police officers be relieved of the administrative duties they performed for the court.
1986
Maintenance Enforcement Program began operation. The program was created to help families collect court ordered support payments.
1987
Louis Bull Police Service was established and became the first First Nation Police Service in Alberta. There are currently five First Nation police services in Alberta.
1990
First Youth Justice Committee established at Fort Chipewyan. These are groups of volunteers working in partnership with Alberta’s justice system to deal with youth in their communities through an alternative to the formal court process. There are currently 117 committees in Alberta.
1992
Solicitor General and Attorney General merged
to become the Department of Justice and
Attorney General.
1998
Provincial Court at Siksika opened – comprised of an Aboriginal judge, prosecutors, legal aid lawyers and court clerks.
2000
Tsuu T’ina Nation Court and Peacemaker initiative blended Aboriginal justice traditions, including an Office of the Peacemaker, with the Provincial Court of Alberta.
2000
Digital recording system implemented in Alberta’s courts, building on a long history of superior
court reporting.
2001
Solicitor General became a separate ministry.
2003
Youth Justice Committee Program received Premier’s Award of Excellence.
2003
The Calgary Opera and the Banff Centre for the Arts commissioned and produced an operatic version of the events that led to the execution of Florence Lassandra, the only woman to ever be executed in Alberta. The opera was named Filumena, Florence’s real name.
2003
Corrections Amendment Act passed which introduced random drug testing for offenders and enhanced offender accountability.
2003
Solicitor General signed the first Community Tripartite Agreement to provide First Nation communities with enhanced full-time police service from Aboriginal members of the RCMP. There are currently agreements in four Aboriginal communities.
2005
Four RCMP members stationed in and around Mayerthorpe were ambushed and killed by 46-year-old James Roszko who then killed himself.
 Const. Leo Johnston |
 Const. Brock Myrol |
 Const. Peter Schiemann |
 Const. Anthony Gordon |
2005
Solicitor General renamed to become Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security.
Timeline Sources:
- Gray, James H. Talk to my lawyer! Great stories of Southern Alberta’s bar & bench.
Edmonton: Hurtig, c1987. - Marshall, Ernest A. Justice on the Peace: the law and lawyers in Alberta’s northwest. Edmonton: Juriliber, c2003.
- Ream, Peter T. The fort on the Saskatchewan: a resource book on Fort Saskatchewan
and District. Edmonton: Metropolitan print, c1974. - Pecover, J. The work of justice: the trials of Robert Raymond Cook: the story of the
last man hanged in Alberta. Edmonton: Wolf Willow Press, c1996. - “Origins of the RCMP” (online)
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/history/history_e.htm - “Are Women Persons? The ‘Persons’ Case” (online)
http://www.collectionscanada.ca - Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security files.
