Herb Mathisen
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, June 11, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - While job cuts are being proposed at the adult jail, programs are expanding at the youth facility.

On the GNWT's public works and services awards and tenders web page, a request for proposals for a corrections healing and learning program position appears.

This comes mere weeks after the 2008/09 budget was released, where 35 community justice and corrections positions were proposed for reduction territory-wide, with nine coming from Yellowknife.

Colin Gordon, director of corrections with the Department of Justice, said funding for the advertised position comes from a completely different source.

"The thing to remember is this is a total separate young offender issue," said Gordon. "We had an opportunity to apply for some funding from the federal government."

Gordon said the specific fund set aside by the federal government for young offenders became available on April 1. Timing on their proposal and approval for funding coincided with the budget's release and the government's proposed reductions in positions at the North Slave Correctional Centre, Gordon said.

"There is no connection whatsoever," said Gordon, of the addition of the new position with cuts.

The department received a one-time federal grant to develop a program for young offender at the North Slave Young Offenders Facility. The program's purpose is to help them with communication and self-esteem issues. Staff will be trained to help young offenders develop skills on an ongoing basis, Gordon said.

The focus is on program development, he added, and no permanent positions will be created.

"It gives us a resource that our staff can continue to apply once the funding ends," said Gordon.

"It provides an initial boost to the young offenders itself, but it provides additional support to help our staff carry it on in the future."