Renovations Underway at West Coast Correctional Centre

Through an investment of approximately $425,000, the Provincial Government is renovating the West Coast Correctional Centre in Stephenville to enhance safety and security for staff and inmates.

“One of our priorities in corrections is to ensure that all correctional officers, staff and inmates are afforded the highest quality security while inside the province’s correctional facilities,” said the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “This security enhancement to the West Coast Correctional Centre is being carried out, considering the best interests of employees and those in custody, and further illustrates the our government’s commitment to improving the delivery of service in the correctional system.”

The work includes the construction of a new correctional officer work station and secure viewing area, as well as the construction of two new cells to ensure officer, inmate and facility security. As part of the renovations, a number of the wooden doors in the facility are also being upgraded to steel doors with enhanced security features, as well as upgrades to inmate washroom and shower facilities.

“The safety and well-being of our staff and inmates is extremely important – we all need to feel safe and secure in our surroundings,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education and MHA for St. George’s-Stephenville East. “I applaud this investment from our government that will create a better workplace and facility for all concerned at the West Coast Correctional Centre.”

“I am very pleased for the staff and inmates of the West Coast Correctional Centre,” said Port au Port MHA Tony Cornect. “These renovations will certainly help to enhance the safety and well-being of everyone at the facility.”

The work at the West Coast Correctional Centre, awarded to Brooks Construction (2007) Inc., is expected to be complete in the near future.

Since 2009, the Provincial Government has allocated approximately $7 million for the revitalization of the Newfoundland and Labrador corrections system. Improvements have been made to the structures of the Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women, Labrador Correctional Centre and Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, and additional correctional officers have been hired. Funding has also been provided towards programming enhancements including addictions counseling, drug awareness, violence prevention, mental health improvements and women’s programming, some of which has occurred through partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, the John Howard Society, Stella Burry Community Services and Turnings.

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2011 04 29             11:15 a.m.