Kugluktuk (July 31/06) - The government has yet to make any changes to policy at a correctional centre in Kugluktuk and that frustrates the community's mayor.

A sex offender housed at the healing facility was on the loose for almost 10 hours one day in April before being apprehended at a residence by the RCMP. That incident prompted the hamlet to write to the Department of Justice on May 19 seeking changes at the minimum-security Illavut healing facility.

But things have remained status quo to date, Markus Weber, deputy minister of Justice, told News/North in an interview on July 20.

"We are working on reviewing who we have at the centre and what our procedures are, but this particular incident is not one that will cause immediate change," Weber said.

On the day of the escape, the inmate, who is in his 20s, was on the front step of the healing facility with a case worker.

The employee stepped inside for a moment and the inmate fled. The convict was subsequently sent to the North Slave Correctional Facility and charged with being unlawfully at large.

That was the only escape or even attempted escape from the correctional centre since its inception in April, 2005, according to Weber. The same offender, however, failed to report on time while out on a pass a few days earlier. He had a record of aggravated sexual assault and assault prior to arriving at the healing centre.

But violent offenders shouldn't be sent to a minimum security facility, Kugluktuk Mayor Derrick Power contends. It was intended for low to medium-risk convicts who are considered good candidates for rehabilitation.

"There should be consultations with the community and the RCMP well in advance before they (criminals) come here so everybody can feel comfortable before they show up," the mayor said. "A lot of the criteria used to determine suitability is vague."

Weber said amending the screening process, should that happen, will take time.

"We are definitely looking at the assessment procedure," he said. "It's a very complex system. It's not something you want to change quickly."

MLA Joe Allen Evyagotailak, who raised questions about the issue in the legislature in June, couldn't be reached for comment.

The facility, which can accommodate up to 12 offenders, has close to a dozen case workers. They are trained in security procedures and there is always at least one case worker present at all times, according to the government. In addition, the duty manager is on call after hours.

Although the RCMP respond when an offender bolts from the facility, the police haven't made any security recommendations to the Department of Justice, Cpl. Denise Keatley said.

"Really it's not for us to interfere with how they operate," she said, but added that her detachment has provided "guidance" when it has been requested by staff.

Power acknowledged that the correctional facility does bring economic benefits to the community. It seemed to be a welcomed project by many residents and the previous hamlet administration, but it must be properly managed, he insisted.

"The picking of the candidates is an issue with the community," Power said. "That would make me a lot happier - to have a more elaborate screening process."