FACT PROPOSED

CORRECTIONAL CENTRE
SHEET FACILITY
No. 2
February 3, 2011

Proposed On January 31, 2011, the City engaged an impartial volunteer, Stewart Ladyman, to
Facility facilitate a public meeting at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre to seek the
community’s input on the concept of a proposed correctional facility in the Okanagan
valley. A number of questions were posed by the public and answers to those
questions are provided below:

Quick Public Opinion

Facts
Q: Would the public have an opportunity to provide their input, concerns,
opposition or support for the Correctional Centre?

A: Yes. City Council and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General staff
are committed to providing the facts and consulting with and listening to public
input BEFORE making a decision.

Location

Q: Where would the proposed Correctional Centre be located?

A: The construction and operation of a Correctional Centre would benefit the

local economy and increase employment for the region. As such, Penticton
City Council has instructed staff to work with the Regional District, First
Nations and surrounding municipalities to explore appropriate site options
within the region for consideration by the Solicitor General and the public.

Appearance of the Facility

Q: What would the facility look like?

A: New correctional centres are designed to blend into the area in which they are
located. They are constructed to look like office buildings with lots of windows.
The open space is located in the middle of the facility eliminating the need for
unsightly barbwire fencing around the perimeter. To on-lookers, one would not
be able to identify it as a correctional facility unless you knew it was there. To
view an example of a modern correctional centre, please search the Prince
George Regional Correctional Centre on the internet.

Impact on local RCMP Detachment

Q: What would the impact be on the local RCMP detachment?

A: Currently, the accused are held in local police cells, awaiting court outcomes
or an escort to a distant correctional centre. The new Centre would
significantly reduce pressure on the local police lockups as they would be
housed in the correctional facility itself.
What happens when offenders are released?

Q: Where will the offenders go after they are released from the correctional
centre?

A: Offenders are given a bus ticket back to their home town.

Employment

Q: Where would the staff come from?

A: About 240 correctional staff would be employed at the Centre with a number of
additional contracted staff on-site such as nurses, doctors, dentists, food
service workers, trades personnel, and counsellors. BC Corrections would
offer employment opportunities and training for anyone wishing to pursue
employment in the Corrections field.

The project will also generate approximately 400 – 500 direct construction jobs
as well as 600 indirect jobs during construction. Local contractors would have
every opportunity to bid on the construction jobs.

Community Perception

Q: Would inmates be wearing shackles around town as part of an integration

process?

A: In most cases, there is no need for offenders to be in the community. Health

issues are dealt with on site through on-site dentists and doctors. More
serious health issues requiring emergency medical treatment would require a
trip to the hospital. In those cases, inmates are restrained, as necessary,
escorted by staff to ensure public safety, and watched by correction staff for
the duration of the time the offender is in hospital care.

Level of Security

Q: Is it going to be a high security prison? Would it look like the facility in

Chilliwack where there is a 2m fence?

A: All correctional facilities are secure facilities using a combination of staff

supervision and the latest surveillance technologies. The proposed Centre
would accommodate remanded individuals awaiting trial and those sentenced
to fewer than two years.

Thos offenders who are sentenced to more than 2 years are sent to “federal
penitentiaries” run by the Government of Canada and operated by the
Correctional Service of Canada. The proposed centre would be a provincial
correctional centre operated by the Province of B.C.
 Funding the Facility?

Q: Who would pay to build the facility?

A: The Province would pay for the construction, operation and maintenance of the
Centre.

Development Cost Charges?

Q: Would the Ministry be responsible for development cost charges?

A: Development Cost Charges would be applicable pursuant the City’s

Development Cost Charges Bylaw.

Next Another public meeting will be held as soon as possible (date to be determined) where
Steps: staff from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (Corrections Branch) will
be in attendance to address questions from members of the public. Potential sites will
also be revealed at that time.

Contact Email: mayor@penticton.ca

Info:
Address: Mayor and Council
City of Penticton
171 Main Street
Penticton, BC V2A 5A9

Phone 250.490.2405

Visit our website at www.penticton.ca and click on the Proposed Correctional Facility
link to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.