This conceptual drawing shows what the Okanagan Correctional Centre will look like.
Responding to criticism from BC’s Auditor General, the Minister of Justice says the new prison destined for Oliver will enhance safety in the penal system.
“The new Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) will increase correctional capacity and decrease the need for double bunking,” said Justice Minster Suzanne Anton.
This statement was in response to BC Auditor General Carol Bellringer’s report on correctional facilities and programs.
In the report, Bellringer notes that overcrowded prisons and lack of programs are creating risks for inmates and staff.
The audit suggests that correctional centres in British Columbia are over capacity, operating at 140 per cent capacity on average, with individual centres ranging
from 107-177 per cent.
The report goes on to say that prison overcrowding increases risks to both
inmates and staff, and contributes to rising tension and the potential for conflicts. It also found that inmates are not getting timely access to the programs that they need to reduce their risk of re-offending once
they are released.
Bellringer said the province’s adult custody division cannot adequately demonstrate whether operating its prisons at these capacity levels provides for safe custody.
But Anton said the OCC will have 378 cells – more than doubling corrections capacity in the Interior and contributing to an overall increase of almost 800 new cells in the Lower Mainland and in BC’s Interior since 2008.
“We have hired 440 new staff since 2007 and have plans to hire more than 240 new, full-time correctional officers for the OCC.”
In a recent teleconference, Anton said
BC Corrections reviewed the report and is committed to addressing all of the recommendations while continuing efforts to reduce reoffending and protect communities.
Anton acknowledged the concern about overcrowding, but stated that BC’s overall inmate count today is at 116 per cent of capacity, which is much lower than the number shown in the audit.
“We do predict that over the next few years there will be a gradually increasing need for facilities in British Columbia due to the fact that the province is growing.”
That’s why the government has made a significant capital expenditure on the OCC north of Oliver, Anton pointed out.
As for helping inmates, the minister said they are focusing on personal welfare and vocational programming, in addition to job training.
But Anton said the number one concern in corrections is the safety of inmates and staff.
During a question and answer session, one reporter asked whether the government will hire more guards to reduce the number of assaults in prisons.
“Well, we will obviously put more into the Okanagan Correctional Centre, 240 new full-time corrections officers. And we have hired 440 new staff since 2007,” Anton replied.
Another reporter cited the audit, stating the additional capacity the province is building will not have an impact on those numbers.
Anton said the more than 300 new cells being built in the Okanagan Correctional Centre will definitely have an impact.
