By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
A Penticton city councillor has raised a concern with the province about its inmate release protocol in the Okanagan and how that is impacting local crime.
But both Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen and RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth say there is little to no evidence showing a direct causation between increased crime and the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver.
Helena Konanz made a motion to her council to send a letter to the Ministry of Public Safety requesting they disclose how many Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) inmates have been released in the last 12 months and dropped off in Penticton.
Konanz told the Times Chronicle that during her election campaign the number one issue brought to her attention was crime.
“We have one of the worst crime rates in all of BC, and this has accelerated in the past few years at an alarming rate,” Konanz said. “People, especially our elderly, are afraid of random acts of violence that are occurring every day, including fires, thefts, break-ins, and random attacks.”
The councillor said when the prison in Oliver was built the surrounding communities were given a promise by provincial authorities – that when an inmate was released from the prison they would be given transportation back to the community where they committed the crime.
Konanz said many of these inmates were brought to the Greyhound bus station in Penticton and given a ticket back to their communities. But Greyhound closed and its transportation services are no longer available.
“We also have no services that the bigger centres have to help the hundreds of people who need help for mental health, detox, and rehabilitation. And it’s no secret we are extremely short on doctors,” Konanz said.
The councillor reiterated that they need to make sure the province is following through with its promise.
City council passed Konanz’s motion in addition to a motion by Councillor Ryan Graham to invite the OCC warden and staff to discuss the above concerns.
But Councillor Isaac Gilbert questioned what council’s intention will be once they receive the requested information from the province.
“My only concern with the motion is that it perpetuates the fear and stigma that people are coming into our community as criminals and are causing crime here.”
Gilbert said they don’t need to continue punishing people who come out of jail and are trying to rehabilitate themselves.
“I would much rather focus on how to rehabilitate those people into our community.”
Not related to the correctional centre, Johansen said Oliver’s recent rash of break-ins is extremely frustrating for local businesses.
“The losses from the damage caused far outweigh the small amount of money or merchandise being stolen.”
The mayor said Wrigglesworth and his team are working hard to identify the suspects in which arrests are expected soon.
Wrigglesworth told the Times Chronicle that police suspect the people who are committing these break-ins are from Oliver.
“They are residents of the surrounding area of Oliver and the police would be happy to have the court place them into OCC, but there is no indication that they came from there recently.”
Wrigglesworth pointed to drug addiction as the root cause of the crimes recently committed.
The commander said once an individual serves their jail time they can live and go where they want unless dictated by parole or probation.
Oliver Crime Watch coordinator Shirley Zelinski said nearly all of the recent break-ins occurred early in the morning, adding their volunteers do not patrol unless RCMP are actively on the streets.
“Because we have a limited number of volunteers, our patrols are very much for visibility in the town.”
COVID concerns also restrict volunteer patrols, she pointed out.
Zelinski said she believes the offenders live in the community as they “seem to know the best time to strike.”
Her advice to residents is to watch for unusual activity at all times, report any concerns to the RCMP, and do a quick check of their property daily to ensure all valuables are locked up.
“Businesses and industry should all be installing top notch security cameras.”
Zelinski said people should also consider joining the Crime Watch team to help make the community safer.
Konanz said crime has skyrocketed everywhere. She reminded council that the province said it did not want any one community dealing with social responsibilities that it could not handle once the OCC was built.
Graham, who is also a business owner in Oliver, said he would like answers from the correctional centre.
Councillor James Miller supported the motion but wasn’t convinced, without evidence, that the province is literally “dropping off” inmates in Penticton and other local communities.
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General told the Times Chronicle that correctional staff work with released inmates to help create a plan for their reintegration into the community.
This includes personal supports and access to services through a new Community Transition Team program.
The ministry said most individuals are picked up from the correctional centre by friends or family. Others are given taxi vouchers or bus tickets. Individuals are also transported by BC Corrections back to their “court of origin” which is generally their home community.
Between Jan. 1, 2020 and Oct 1. 2021, there was an average of 64 releases per month from the Okanagan Correctional Centre, according to the ministry.
It noted the need for taxis increased with the cancellation of Greyhound bus services. Of the 1,406 individuals released since Jan. 1, 2020, approximately 186 required taxis, the ministry said.
While BC Corrections is required to return an individual to their court of origin, this is often within the region of the correctional centre.
“BC Corrections has no authority over where an individual chooses to reside, unless a specific location, treatment or court condition is ordered by the court,” the ministry stated. It also said BC Corrections has no authority to monitor individuals following their release from custody unless they are sentenced to community supervision.
