News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF FEDERAL PENITENTIARY

Supports commitment to building stronger communities and safer streets in Mission, British Columbia

Mission, British Columbia, August 30, 2010 - Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, announced the Correctional Service of Canada is investing $15 million to increase capacity within Mission Institution.

"Our Government is committed to ensuring a fair and effective corrections system with a priority to protect Canadians," said Minister Day. "We need to ensure our prisons are safe to work in, are free of illicit drugs and are rehabilitating offenders effectively so that both our corrections staff and our communities are protected. The expansion of Mission Institution is the next step in helping ensure that criminals serve sentences that better reflect the severity of their crimes."

This expansion will involve the construction of a new 96-bed living unit at Mission Institution. It is anticipated that the new living units will be completed in 2012-13.

"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 Mr. Day. "The safety of Canadian communities must be the paramount concern. Part of keeping our action to keep communities safer is keeping offenders in institutions until they have served their debt to society, not releasing them onto Canadian streets early."

The Mission Institution expansion follows an announcement a few weeks ago to expand Springhill Institution in Springhill, Nova Scotia. It is anticipated that over the coming years, CSC will be adding over 2,700 beds to mens and womens facilities across Canada.

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For further information, please contact:

Jean-Paul Lorieau
Media Relations and Outreach Advisor - Pacific Region
Correctional Service of Canada

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