In June 2007 the Office of the Citizens’ Representative concluded a special investigation into the programs and services available for female offenders from Labrador. The investigation was prompted by media reports that a young woman had been detained at the RCMP holding cell in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and, as a consequence of declaring her intention to harm herself, her clothes were taken and she was kept naked and without a mattress for days. The RCMP subsequently apologized to the woman for how it handled the situation. The result of the Citizens’ Representative investigation was a report entitled Alone Among the Few and the main recommendation was that Government should commit to building a female custodial facility for female offenders in Labrador. Yesterday Government announced, as part of a larger infrastructure program, the allocation of $2 million for the construction of a pre-trial detention facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for adult women and children.

"The soul of a society is often assessed by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens", said Citizens’ Representative Barry Fleming. "I applaud the budget allocation for this much- needed facility which will ameliorate many of the problems that had been identified in my Office’s special report and which were also identified by dedicated volunteers, community groups and public employees in Labrador".

A copy of Alone Among the Few, and more information about the Office of the Citizens’ Representative can be obtained at www.citizensrep.nl.ca

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