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Ontario Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toews: Cost of a safe and secure society is worth paying

Prison expansion supports commitment to building stronger communities and safer streets

Collins Bay, Ontario, October 6, 2010 – Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, announced the Government of Canada is investing in the expansion of Bath, Collins Bay, and Millhaven Institutions 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 Toews. “The expansion of Bath, Collins Bay, and Millhaven institutions not only reaffirms our government’s commitment to Kingston, but helps ensure that criminals serve sentences that better reflect the severity of their crimes.”

This $95.5 million expansion will involve the construction of two new 96-bed living units at Bath Institution, a new 96-bed living unit at Collins Bay Institution, and a new 96-bed living unit at Millhaven Institution. It is anticipated that these new living units will be completed in 2013-14.

“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 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 more information, please contact:

Holly Knowles
Regional Communications Manager
Correctional Service of Canada
(613) 545-8210

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