Further improvements to the infrastructure of
Her Majesty�s Penitentiary (HMP) in St. John�s continue as the
Provincial Government has awarded a contract for the first phase of
upgrades to the facility�s ventilation system. The Provincial Government
will invest approximately $260,000 in this phase of the project.
"The safety and well-being of both those who
work at Her Majesty�s Penitentiary and the inmates who are in our care
is a primary concern of this government," said the Honourable Felix
Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. "At the completion of
upgrades to the ventilation system at the facility we will have improved
the living and working conditions for inmates and staff and we will
eliminate an issue of high temperatures and humidity which has impacted
those in HMP for some time."
The contract, awarded to Jenkins Power Sheet
Metal Inc. of St. John�s, involves upgrades to the existing ventilation
system in the main living units, as well as installation of new
equipment that will bring air flow and thermal conditions up to modern
standards.
This is the first phase of a multi-phase
program to upgrade the ventilation system throughout HMP. Further phases
will consist of similar upgrades in other areas of the correctional
facility. Phase one of the work is expected to be complete in March
2011.
Since 2009, the Williams Government has
allocated approximately $7 million for the revitalization of the
Newfoundland and Labrador corrections system.
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Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 699-6524