In June 2007 the Office of the Citizens� Representative concluded a special investigation into the programs and services available for female offenders from Labrador. The investigation was prompted by media reports that a young woman had been detained at the RCMP holding cell in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and, as a consequence of declaring her intention to harm herself, her clothes were taken and she was kept naked and without a mattress for days. The RCMP subsequently apologized to the woman for how it handled the situation. The result of the Citizens� Representative investigation was a report entitled Alone Among the Few and the main recommendation was that Government should commit to building a female custodial facility for female offenders in Labrador. Yesterday Government announced, as part of a larger infrastructure program, the allocation of $2 million for the construction of a pre-trial detention facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for adult women and children.

"The soul of a society is often assessed by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens", said Citizens� Representative Barry Fleming. "I applaud the budget allocation for this much- needed facility which will ameliorate many of the problems that had been identified in my Office�s special report and which were also identified by dedicated volunteers, community groups and public employees in Labrador".

A copy of Alone Among the Few, and more information about the Office of the Citizens� Representative can be obtained at www.citizensrep.nl.ca

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