Ministers Parsons and Crocker Announce Plan for New Correctional Facility

  • Justice and Public Safety
  • Transportation and Works

April 10, 2019

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, and the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that a new correctional facility will be built in St. John’s.

The new 21,000 square metre correctional facility to be located in White Hills, will be built utilizing best practices in facility design and will more than double the capacity of the existing Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, allowing for more programming, recreation, and better mental health services.

A modern penitentiary will make better use of technology to increase safety and support the development and implementation of policies and programs that will allow inmates an opportunity to become productive members of society and break the cycle of reoffending.

A value for money assessment completed by EY recommended in 2018 that government use the design, build, finance and maintain approach compared to the traditional design-build approach. Requests for Proposals (RFP) for external procurement, technical and fairness advisors will begin this summer.

A request for qualifications (RFQ) to establish an industry short list of businesses interested in designing, building, financing and maintaining the facility will be issued in spring 2020. Teams of businesses that respond to the RFQ will then be evaluated and a short list of proponents will receive the RFP.

Through Budget 2019, $600,000 has been allocated for planning.

A new correctional facility for Newfoundland and Labrador delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“A new correctional facility in this province is long overdue and I am delighted that our government has been able to make this a reality. This new facility will provide a space for the rehabilitation of inmates and a safer work environment for staff. While there is still much work to do we are committed to working with our partners in government and the community to improve the system and bring about positive change.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

“Replacing Her Majesty’s Penitentiary is important to us and we have determined the most fiscally responsible way to do it. Construction on this new facility, along with other projects included in our multi-year infrastructure plan, will lead to substantial growth in the construction industry on the Avalon Peninsula and address longstanding needs.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works

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Learn more
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador New Adult Correctional Facility Project – Value for Money AssessmentPDF Icon

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Media contacts
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca

Brian Scott
Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 729-9201
brianscott@gov.nl.ca

2019 04 10 12:20 pm