A $50-million expansion to two federal prisons in southern Alberta will add nearly 300 inmate beds in time for tougher sentencing laws designed for criminals to serve more time before being paroled.
Bowden and Drumheller institutions will each increase capacity by constructing 96 medium security beds, and both will add 50 minimum security spots, the federal government announced Tuesday.
The funding comes months after the new Truth in Sentencing Act came into effect in February, ending the practice of judges handing offenders credit, on a two-for-one basis, to compensate for time spent in pre-sentence remand.
It is anticipated that the new spaces will be completed in 2012-13.
“In the previous system, a violent criminal sentenced to nine years in prison could potentially be on our streets in as little as three years if he or she spent two years awaiting trial. This possibility is not acceptable to Canadians,” said Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson, who made the announcement on behalf of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
“The protection of Canadians must come first. Part of keeping our communities safe is keeping dangerous criminals behind bars — not releasing them onto our streets early,” said Sorenson
Inside prison walls, more beds could mean less pressure in cells, and hopefully, less violence, says Drumheller Institution’s warden.
Get breaking National news
“Anytime we can reduce the dependency on double bunking makes the population much easier to manage,” said warden Mike Hanly.
The prison has room for about 600 inmates and houses 580. There is a minimum-security annex with 72 beds.
Added beds will require another 20 to 30 staff members to the prison’s 400-strong workforce.
Having another unit to help disperse warring inmates may have an effect on gang violence inside prison walls.
“It’s becoming more common. You’re dealing with such a variety of gangs: street, aboriginal, motorcycle. They don’t all play nicely in the sandbox,” said Hanly, who is in charge of four wings of prisoners.
“This gives me a fifth option: it will enhance our ability to keep our population separated and isolated.
“Anything I get to help me manage the population is a true asset, we’re really grateful for the government.”
The economic spinoff for the towns of Drumheller and Bowden is another bonus.
“It’s really good for the town of Drumheller. They’re our major partner. What’s good for us is good for them,” Hanly said.
News of increased inmate beds and more staff was welcomed by Drumheller Mayor Bryce Nimmo.
“It’s wonderful for us here. Our population count includes the prisoners. When you get various amounts of money from the provincial government, it depends on your population.”
“The addition of not only the prisoners but the people working there will have a lot to do with more money coming to our town,” said Nimmo.
Minimum-security inmates work around the town at the golf course, landfill, even volunteering as stretcher bearers at the community’s popular summertime Passion Play. Prisoners also helped construct an affordable-housing apartment complex.
Bowden Institution warden Dave Pelham says the expansion to the medium-security prison will see a new unit built within the facility.
Currently, the prison’s capacity is nearly 500 inmates.
“It’s going to give us more flexibility to manage the populations. It’s an economic boost for the local economy,” said Pelham.
It is anticipated that over the coming years, more than 2,700 beds will be added to men’s and women’s facilities across Canada.
“We need to ensure our prisons are safe to work in, are free of illicit drugs and are rehabilitating offenders effectively so that both our corrections staff and our communities are protected,” said Sorenson.
szickefoose@theherald.canwest.com
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.