Justice
June 4, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Justice:

Four New Assistant Superintendents Appointed

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to advise this Honourable House that the Provincial Government has permanently appointed four new Assistant Superintendents at provincial correctional facilities over the past several months.

These are as follows: James Hickman at the Labrador Correctional Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Blair Fradsham at the West Coast Correctional Centre in Stephenville; Shelley Rae-Michelin at the Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women in Clarenville; and Kelly Rowsell at the Bishop’s Falls Correctional Centre in Bishop’s Falls. All four bring significant experience to the positions and retain the greatest respect of their peers.

In accepting the role of Assistant Superintendent, these individuals will be responsible for the overall administration and operation of their respective facilities. They will ensure the effective use of human resources, the safe and secure custody of prisoners, the continual reassessment of offender risks and needs, the delivery of programming to reduce risk of reoffending, and the development of community partnerships to promote successful reintegration.

Mr. Speaker, with a combined 94 years of experience working in the field of adult corrections, these four Assistant Superintendents bring an in-depth understanding of the operational challenges unique to each facility and its surrounding region. These facilities have become an important part of the communities in which they are located and I am confident that each new leader will continue to ensure that established relationships with community stakeholders will be valued and strengthened.

These Assistant Superintendents have all worked their way through the ranks to these senior positions and they are positive role models for employees and recruits. Ms. Rowsell and Ms. Michelin are currently the highest ranking female correctional officers in adult corrections and with these appointments, 40 per cent of our Assistant Superintendents are now women, demonstrating the important role that women hold in Newfoundland and Labrador’s corrections system.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Provincial Government and the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, I welcome Assistant Superintendents Fradsham, Hickman, Michelin, and Rowsell as they continue to work to maintain safe and secure correctional institutions for officers, staff, inmates and the community.

Thank you.

2014 06 04      2:20 p.m.