B.C. Solicitor General to announce Okanagan prison soon

The BCGEU/NUPGE supported this consultation process and is now calling on the government to make a decision on the new facility which would help alleviate the chronic overcrowding in the existing prisons.

Vancouver (17 Nov. 2011) - Responding to a letter from the BC Government and Services Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) President Darryl Walker, the Solicitor General has indicated that an announcement on the construction of a new correctional centre in the Okanagan may be made shortly.

Bond also acknowledges the problems that exist in the province's overcrowded correctional centres.

Four communities in the Okanagan have expressed an interest in having the new correctional centre built in their community. They also took part in a consultation process with the government that began almost a year ago.

“Our correctional officers look forward to the construction of this long overdue new prison and hope the announcement comes soon,” says Darryl Walker, BCGEU President. “This will be a step in the right direction. However, we have already raised with the provincial government our concerns regarding the new federal crime legislation and the impact it could have on the number of inmates in our system. This will require ongoing discussions to ensure that we address the overcrowding in our correctional facilities.”

More information:

Letter from Solicitor General Bond

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE