News Releases

Atlantic Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Government of Canada announces expansion of federal penitentiary in Springhill, Nova Scotia

Supports commitment to building stronger communities and safer streets

Springhill, Nova Scotia, August 17, 2010 - Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, and Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, announced the Correctional Service of Canada will spend $40 million to increase capacity within Springhill Institution. This additional capacity is part of the government’s plan to help ensure that criminals serve sentences that reflect the severity of their crimes.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for our community. The Truth in Sentencing Act is legislation that helps to ensure that criminals serve sentences that better reflect the severity of their crimes, and today we are announcing the next step,” said Minister MacKay, on behalf of Minister Toews. “As provinces, victims and police organizations across the country have repeatedly told us, the early release of criminals onto our streets has a much higher cost than keeping criminals behind bars.”

Springhill is the first institution across Canada that will be expanded over the next two years. This expansion will involve the construction of 192 new beds. The redesign of the facility is expected to be completed in 2010, with construction scheduled for 2011. It is anticipated the new living units will be available in 2012.

“Under the previous system, a violent criminal sentenced to nine years in prison could be on our streets in as little as three years if he or she spent two years awaiting trial. In at least one case, a convicted terrorist was released one day after being sentenced. This is not acceptable to Canadians,” said Mr. Armstrong. “The protection of Canadians must come first. Part of keeping our communities safe is keeping dangerous criminals behind bars - not releasing them onto our streets early.”

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For further information, please contact:

Etienne Chiasson
Communications Advisor – Atlantic Region
Correctional Service of Canada
(506) 851-2186

Christopher McCluskey
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
(613) 991-2865