Justice
April 18, 2008

Independent Review of Her Majesty�s Penitentiary
Aims to Improve Delivery of Correctional Services

Recognizing that the safety and security of both employees and inmates of Her Majesty�s Penitentiary (HMP) is a priority, an independent review of adult corrections has been initiated by the Provincial Government. This review will take into consideration policies, procedures and administration with a goal of improving the working and living conditions of HMP and other correctional facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The improvement of our corrections operations is not solely focused upon the construction of a new penitentiary," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. "It is about providing a safe environment for both our corrections staff and those in our custody. It is incumbent upon the Provincial Government to have an independent review undertaken which can highlight best practices and provide guidance on areas which may need improvement. This issue is about more than just bricks and mortar."

The Department of Justice has engaged Simonne Poirier and Gregory Brown to conduct the independent review. Both individuals have extensive backgrounds in corrections having served in various capacities with Correctional Service Canada. Ms. Poirier has over 30 years in the field including five years as warden of the Atlantic Institution correctional facility located in Renous, New Brunswick, and 14 months as warden of Dorchester correctional facility also in New Brunswick. Mr. Brown has 25 years experience including holding the position of deputy warden at both Renous and Springhill Institution in Nova Scotia.

"Both Ms. Poirier and Mr. Brown have considerable experience in the corrections field along with the appropriate qualifications to conduct an independent review. I expect quality work and look forward to the submission of their final report to the Department of Justice," said Minister Kennedy. "It is important to indicate that the scope of the review has been outlined in the terms of reference and no prejudgments have been made. Corrections is a challenging field and we must ensure the Provincial Government has access to the best information available as we face challenges head on."

The terms of reference of the independent review include such matters as the organizational structure of facilities, physical infrastructure, health services and programming and internal communications. In addition, Ms. Poirier and Mr. Brown will also review the strip search policies of the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre. The independent review is expected to be complete in approximately two months. Once received, the report will be reviewed by the Department of Justice and released, subject to privacy and security concerns, to the general pubic.

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Media contact:

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

BACKGROUNDER

Terms of Reference of the Independent Review:

  • a review of the management and organizational structure;
  • a review of the facilities and physical infrastructure;
  • a review of human resource levels and practices;
  • a review of the status of labour relations and the adequacy of internal communications;
  • a review of the practices and procedures relating to the response to, and investigation of, critical incidents and allegations of professional misconduct;
  • a review of provincial legislation;
  • a review of the adequacy of the policies and procedures manual(s);
  • a review of occupational health and safety issues relevant to safety and security of employees;
  • a review of the provision of health services to inmates;
  • generally a review of the practices, policies and procedures applicable to adult corrections; and,
  • where any deficiencies or concerns are identified in relation to any of the above-noted matters to provide a range of options which would allow for consideration to effect necessary changes.

Biographies

Simonne Poirier

In 1976, Simonne Poirier joined the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and in 1989 achieved a Baccalaureat in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. In 1998, she was appointed Deputy Warden, and subsequently Warden, of the maximum-security Atlantic Institution located in Renous, New Brunswick.

In 2003, she returned to the Regional Headquarters of CSC working as Special Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner, managing the Citizens� Advisory Committee Members portfolio for the Atlantic Region, Ethno-cultural portfolio and Communications / Media Relations portfolio.

In 2005, she was appointed Warden of Dorchester Penitentiary where she worked until her retirement in December 2006.

Gregory Brown

Gregory Brown joined the Correctional Service of Canada in 1974 where he held numerous positions such as accounts payable and with the operations division as a living unit officer of Springhill Institution. From 1997 to 1999 he was the acting Assistant Warden, Correctional Programs, at the facility with the responsibility for the management of program delivery.

In 1999 he was appointed as the Regional Administrator (Security) for the Atlantic Region and in 2002 was appointed as the Deputy Warden of Atlantic Institution, Renous, New Brunswick. Subsequently he returned to Springhill Institution as Deputy Warden and from April 2006 � November 2006 served in the position of Acting Warden.

In January of this year Mr. Brown retired from CSC but has maintained a working relationship with the organization. In March 2007, Mr. Brown was asked to return to the Atlantic Region Headquarters to manage the transition to a new organization structure in the Atlantic Region.

2008 04 18                                                9:30 a.m.

 


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