Your chance to get inside a jail without having to be arrested

OLIVER – Most people in a provincial jail aren’t there by choice.

But you can get inside an incarceration institution by your own volition.

The public is invited to take guided tours of the new Okanagan Correctional Centre just north of Oliver.

The one-hour tours happen Oct. 21, 22 and 23.

A news release from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General states: “Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see areas of a correctional centre that are usually off limits to the public. They’ll also learn about the day-to-day operations of the correctional centre and what life in custody is like for inmates.”

Pre-registration is required by phoning 250-485-8263 during weekday business hours.

For security reasons, cameras and smart phones are not permitted.

Visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for a food bank donation.

The $200 million jail begins housing inmates next year and will provide jobs to about 300 people.