Edmonton lawyer raises concerns about new Remand Centre

Edmonton – The new Remand Centre has housed inmates for just over a week, but an Edmonton lawyer is already raising serious concerns.

The issues were brought to light Tuesday morning during the Bosco Homes double murder trial. Defense Lawyer Darin Sprake asked for a one hour delay to speak with his client, saying he was unable to do so Monday night because of major issues he faced at the Remand Centre.

According to Sprake he went to the Remand Centre to meet with his client and encountered several problems at the new facility. The first, the lawyer says, is he was able to walk into the building through an unsecured staff entrance.

Once inside, Sprake says it took quite some time to receive help, and once he did get assistance, he was left waiting to see his client.

According to the defense attorney, his client was lost in the system.

Sprake says he left the Remand Centre before meeting with his client because he had another appointment.

However, the minister of justice says the incident may have been a misunderstanding.

“It appears as if his criminial defence lawyer just went to the wrong facility,” said Jonathan Denis.

“The remand centre has been ready to go for quite sometime and I have every confidence in its staff and law enforcement there. We’re actually looking into that particular item and can get back to you once we get a briefing,” he told reporters.

Denis added he receives updates on the new facility regularly.

“We get updates every week as to any issues as things get ironed out.”

He also said he’s satisfied with the level of security at the centre.

“Absolutely, it’s a very secure facility and it’s one of the most high-tech in the country.”

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has expressed concerns the move to the new Remand Centre happened too fast and too soon.

“There’s a number of issues, obviously we’ve raised prior to the move in to the new centre,” said Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.

“Now that the move is done we’re seeing more issues, but we are working with them… with the government in hopes to address them. So I guess this is just another one that needs to be added to the list that needs to be looked at.”

Raw video: Edmonton lawyer Darin Sprake raises concerns about the new Remand Centre following an attempted meeting with a client at the facility.