The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, today met with Federal Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day, regarding the potential construction of a new penitentiary in the province.

"This was my first opportunity to meet with Minister Day regarding this important matter for Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Kennedy. "During the meeting I outlined our government�s position on the penitentiary and the reasons why such a facility is needed. I requested of Minister Day that the Government of Canada commit to a 70-30 federal-provincial cost-shared agreement for the construction of this facility."

As a province without a federal penitentiary, Newfoundland and Labrador is in a unique position as it may elect to house federally sentenced inmates within a provincial facility. Originally constructed in 1859, Her Majesty�s Penitentiary is in need of replacement to allow for the proper offering of necessary programs, particularly for federal inmates and those on remand.

"This face-to-face meeting provided me with the opportunity to clearly state our position on the need for federal involvement in a new penitentiary in the province," said Minister Kennedy. "As a follow-up to this meeting, I will be providing Minister Day with a formal proposal on this important issue. It is incumbent upon the Federal Government to play a significant role in the funding of a new penitentiary and I will continue to press the minister on this matter in the future."

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Media contact:
Ken Morrissey
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 685-6612
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca