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Escape puts spotlight on jail protocols
Audit of corrections critical of mixing inmates of various security ratings along with those not yet convicted

Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 17, 2016

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Denecho King's escape last week from the North Slave Correctional Centre isn't the first time attention has been drawn to security and protocols at the jail.

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The handling of inmates at the North Slave Correctional Centre was questioned last year by the Auditor General of Canada in a scathing report on the corrections system. The criticized practices continue today. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo

Last year, the Auditor General of Canada released a scathing report of the GNWT corrections system.

It stated the safety of inmates and staff was at risk because inmates were not separated by security rating or based on whether they were in jail awaiting trial or already sentenced.

"This means that inmates who had been sentenced for violent crimes were placed in the general population with inmates who had been convicted of lesser crimes, as well as with individuals on remand who had not been convicted of a crime," the audit stated.

The jail holds up to 148 classified from minimum up to maximum security awaiting further court appearances, known as being held on remand, as well as those sentenced to less than two years in custody. Those sentenced to more than two years are sent to prison. Prisons are run by the federal government. There are no prisons in the territory, although some prisoners are allowed to serve time in territorial jails to be closer to family.

A department response included with the audit last year stated the practice of mixing inmates was "intentional, and integral." Space constraints made the complete separation of these inmates impossible, the audit states.

Since the audit, the criticized practices continue, according to a brief written statement attributed to Robert Riches, the department's director of corrections.

Prior to the audit, remanded inmates were routinely classified as high risk when entering the facility.

Since the audit, changes have been made so incoming inmates going through a security rating process that considers matters such as severity of offence, gang affiliations and flight risks.

"Remanded and sentenced offenders are still housed together but security rating and other factors are considered in deciding who is housed with whom," Riches stated.

It's not clear what King's rating was at the time he escaped.

Convicted and pre-trial inmates are housed together, Riches stated, because it ensures they're able to access jail programming and case management services.

Questions about handling of inmates and how one could escape have largely gone unanswered since last week.

The GNWT Department of Justice has declined interview requests and the minister also isn't speaking about the department he oversees until an investigation into the escape is complete. The department suggested that could be as soon as later this week.

King, 23, was being held in jail awaiting trial on charges of second degree murder and attempted murder when sources say he managed to climb onto the facility's roof and flee.

A source said at least two corrections officers were supposed to be with King at the time of escape but that only one was in the area. The department refused to confirm or deny the account last week.

The department stated in a news release last week it had identified the area King escaped from - it didn't disclose the area - and said inmates are now restricted from using that particular area. The source had told the newspaper the area was one used by inmates that includes a barbecue and picnic tables.

There is no suggestion the audit issues led to King's escape.

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