Ministers' tour of west coast justice facilities informative, meetings productive

Tom Marshall, Minister of Justice, and Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, are pleased to have visited west coast justice facilities last Thursday, and to have met with various stakeholders in the provincial justice system.

"Minister Burke and I wanted to see provincial justice facilities with our own eyes," said Minister Marshall. "We wanted to get inside, walk around, look around and talk to the people who are involved in these facilities in their different ways."

The ministers' visit included tours of the court house and Legal Aid offices in Stephenville, the West Coast Correctional Facility and the Corner Brook Transition House for abused women.

"We visited with probation officers and victim services staff and had some very informative and productive discussions on the strengths and needs of the system," said Minister Marshall. "I very much appreciated the well-considered input, and the professionalism and commitment of the people we spoke with."

At the Corner Brook Transition House, the ministers had the opportunity to discuss family violence issues with clients and staff. "In my former capacity as parole officer in the corrections system in Newfoundland and Labrador, I recognize that there are issues of importance to women in the justice system," said Minister Burke. "The tour of West Coast facilities with my colleague Minister Marshall, was an excellent opportunity for me, as the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, to explore, discuss and hear feedback on issues related to violence and other justice related issues as they pertain to women."

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-6830

Photo # 1: Ministers Marshall and Burke meet officials at the West Coast Correctional Centre in Stephenville on October 14, 2004. (L-R) Arthur Parsons, correctional officer, Robert Jones, assistant superintendent, Minister Tom Marshall, Minister Joan Burke, and Wayne Alexander, correctional officer.

2004 10 19                           3:35 p.m.