Planning to Begin for a New Youth Remand Centre

Funding for the Planning and Design of a new facility for the Pleasantville Youth Centre was announced today in the 1998 Provincial Budget. Minister of Justice and Attorney General Chris Decker confirmed that $300,000 has been allocated to complete the first phase of the project.

"The first phase of this project will address issues including the facility location, the type of facility required, its design and the estimated cost," said Minister Decker.

A replacement Youth Remand Centre has been recognized by the Department of Justice as a requirement. Dr. Linda Inkpen also recommended in her report "Secure Custody for Youth" that the remand facility be improved or replaced.

"Government is committed to addressing the concerns of Dr. Inkpen with respect to the Pleasantville Youth Centre. We will begin the planning and design stage of the process to determine the most effective means of doing so," said the minister.

The Pleasantville Youth Centre is currently the holding facility or detention centre for youths who are awaiting trial, sentencing or are being assessed for trial purposes. It is primarily operated as a temporary secure custody facility. A youth who is then sentenced to secure custody under the Young Offenders Act is placed at the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre at Whitbourne.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre at Whitbourne and the Pleasantville Youth Centre at St. John=s are the province's only two secure custody facilities for youth.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre provides secure custody for young offenders who have been sentenced to secure custody under the Young Offenders Act.

The Pleasantville Youth Centre is primarily a remand or detention holding facility used to temporality house up to 10 male and female youths awaiting trial, sentencing or undergoing psychiatric assessment for trial.

The Pleasantville Youth Centre was first opened in 1967 as a Boy=s Home and Training Centre.

In 1984, the Pleasantville Youth Centre became a remand or temporary detention centre.

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