Baffin jail renovations deep in budget
Politicians pursue funding and expansion of maximum-security capacity
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Saturday, November 14, 2015
IQALUIT
Millions of dollars of repairs and upgrades to the Baffin Correctional Centre are on the way, according to documents in the legislative assembly.
The Baffin Correctional Centre is due for $68 million of renovations, if current plans are approved by the federal government. Some inmates will be transferred out of the facility as the renovations take place. - NNSL file photo
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The total cost of the project has been indicated to be approximately $68 million and may be eligible for funding under the federal New Building Canada Plan, which would require going through an approval process.
Renovations to the territorial jail would allow the department to address the lack of maximum-security and programming space at the facility. A number of inmates will be transferred out of the facility as renovations take place.
South Baffin MLA David Joanasie, member of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, said that the Department of Justice is currently housing eight offenders in facilities outside the territory due to the lack of maximum-security infrastructure in Nunavut's correctional facilities.
Earlier this year, the department opened the new Makigiarvik facility to begin receiving low- and medium-security offenders and allow the department to work on the mould remediation project at BCC.
Joanasie said information provided by the department indicates it is looking to request $1.25 million in supplementary appropriations for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which would allow the department to begin the design phase of the project immediately, with construction of renovations starting in summer 2017.
"During his recent appearance, the minister indicated that delays in the commencement of this project could result in a three- to five-per-cent increase in total project costs," Joanasie said in the legislative assembly. "The standing committee notes the urgency of this project and looks forward to receiving ongoing updates on this matter."
The Department of Justice's proposed capital budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year is $4.45 million, just under double the budget for the previous fiscal year.
Approximately $700,000 of that will be for upgrade and repair projects to existing facilities and the replacement of mobile equipment.
"Members continue to encourage the department to explore ways in which minor repair projects in correctional facilities could be used as vocational training opportunities for offenders as part to the department's rehabilitation and skills training programs," said Joanasie.
The 2016-17 capital estimates include $1 million for renovations to the Nunavut Justice Centre, which will be completed in two phases and focus on renovating office space and adding higher-security measures.
Justice Minister Paul Okalik said the department likes Rankin Inlet's model for correctional facilities.
"They have quite a few staff and they're trying to help the inmates by way of counselling," he said though interpretation. "It's a very good model. If we can use that model, I would be more than pleased to provide those types of services for the inmates. We're going to have to look at it again whether it's going to be here at the Baffin Correctional Centre or at the Rankin Inlet facility. We've been having a lot of problems with ours."
Asked when BCC renovations would begin, Okalik said the department is currently in the design stage and the proposal has to be approved in the south first.
"Then, for the actual construction, 2019 to 2020 fiscal year would be the completion date if all goes as planned," said Okalik through an interpreter.
