News Releases

Atlantic Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ashfield: A safe and secure society is worth the cost

Prison expansion supports commitment to building stronger communities and safer streets

Renous, New Brunswick, November 19, 2010 – Today, the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Canada Revenue Agency and Member of Parliament for Fredericton, and Tilly O’Neill Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, announced the Government of Canada is investing in the expansion of federal institutions in Renous and Dorchester in order to increase the existing capacity and better provide for the protection, safety and security of Canadians.

“Our Government is proud to be on the right side of this issue — the side of law-abiding citizens, the side of victims who want justice, and the side that understands the cost of a safe and secure society is an investment worth making,” said Minister Ashfield, on behalf of Minister Toews. “The expansion of Atlantic and Westmorland institutions not only reaffirms our government’s commitment to Miramichi and Dorchester, but helps ensure that criminals serve sentences that better reflect the severity of their crimes.”

This $42.5 million expansion will involve the construction of a new 96-bed living unit at the federal institution in Renous and a new 50-bed living unit at the federal institution in Dorchester. It is anticipated that the new living unit at Atlantic Institution will be completed in 2013-2014 and the Westmorland Institution unit completed in 2012-2013.

“In the previous system, a violent criminal sentenced to nine years in prison could potentially be on our streets in as little as three years if he or she spent two years awaiting trial. This possibility is not acceptable to Canadians,” said MP O’Neill Gordon, on behalf of Minister Toews. “We are acting to ensure that the criminals pay their debt – their full debt – to society.”

It is anticipated that over the coming years, CSC will be adding over 2,700 beds to men’s and women’s facilities across Canada.

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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