October 7, 2013
Province Moving Ahead with Planning for New Penitentiary
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice, today announced that the Provincial Government is moving forward with the planning of a new penitentiary for Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The time has come to replace Her Majesty’s Penitentiary with a new, modern facility,” said Minister King. “We need a penitentiary that ensures a safe environment for corrections staff and those in custody, and one which also provides opportunities for enhanced rehabilitation services for those incarcerated. This is the first step in that important process.”
A public Request for Proposals will be issued in the near future for companies with expertise in planning correctional facilities. The successful proponent will be asked to develop the functional space requirements and cost estimate for a new facility. Following the completion of that planning exercise in 2014, the Provincial Government will be in a position to consider the project budget and the intended implementation schedule.
“In recent years, significant advancements have been made related to the construction of prisons in Canada in areas such as design and the programming that might be contained in a facility,” said Minister King. “We will be following best practices to ensure that the new penitentiary is the proper one for this province. It is important for inmates and our correctional staff.”
Minister King noted today that the Provincial Government recognizes the challenges associated with Her Majesty’s Penitentiary. Stakeholders have presented their concerns on numerous occasions and its replacement was recommended after a review of the prison system was completed in 2008. Having first opened in 1859, Her Majesty’s Penitentiary houses provincial and federal inmates and has a capacity of 175 male offenders.
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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca
2013 10 07 11:00 a.m.