Provincial Government
Moving Forward with Penitentiary Plans

Contract Awarded for Planning of New Penitentiary

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice, today announced that the first contract related to the planning of a new facility to replace Her Majesty’s Penitentiary has been awarded to Parkin Architects Limited. The company has been tasked with developing the facility program for a new penitentiary for the province.

“The time has come to replace Her Majesty’s Penitentiary and while this is the first step, it is an important one. Parkin Architects Limited has considerable experience in designing correctional facilities and I look forward to seeing their concepts of what a new penitentiary for Newfoundland and Labrador will potentially look like. Ultimately, a new facility will improve safety for staff and inmates while also providing enhanced rehabilitation services."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice

Parkin Architects Limited is national company with a 60-year history of providing architectural services for healthcare, recreational, research, justice and other institutional clients. Local firms John Hearn Architect Inc. and Kavanagh Associates will also be involved in this part of the process.

They will begin work immediately on the new penitentiary in preparing a plan that will describe the types of spaces required to offer the necessary programs and services in a modern correctional facility. The plan will include items such as a conceptual floor plan, suggested site location, model implementation schedule and project cost estimate.

“It is important that we gather input from those who will be directly impacted by the new penitentiary and a broad cross-section of employees and community groups will be consulted as the process moves forward. Our ultimate goal is for a modern facility that meets the unique needs of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- Minister King

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• Parkin Architects Limited has been awarded the first contract for the initial design work related to a new penitentiary for Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The company will prepare a plan that will include items such as a conceptual floor plan, suggested site location, model implementation schedule and project cost estimate.
• First opened in 1859, Her Majesty’s Penitentiary houses provincial and federal inmates and has a capacity of 175 male offenders.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca 

2014 02 24             11:30 a.m.