Adult Corrections Capacity Review

The Government of Manitoba is committed to continuing its leadership in correctional policy and practice in Canada. Its Speech from the Throne, delivered on November 16, 2010, contained the following statement: “Additionally, our government will begin the process of designing and building new prison facilities”.

In order to move forward on this commitment, the provincial government has established a committee to conduct an adult corrections capacity review. The members of the review committee are Dennis Bracken, Lucille Bruce and Richard Bruce. They will provide advice to government on the following questions:

1. How much additional capacity to incarcerate adult inmates should be added to Manitoba's provincial correctional system over the next five to ten years?
2. What services, programming, and skills training should be made available at provincial adult correctional centres to reduce the likelihood of recidivist behaviour and to ensure inmates are ready for life outside prison?

In considering these questions, the review committee shall consider all relevant information, including:

1. The current capacity and population of Manitoba’s provincial adult correctional centres;
2. The age and condition of Manitoba's existing provincial adult correctional centres and the extent to which renovations or replacements may be required over the next five to ten years; special attention should be given to the needs of new immigrants and Aboriginal inmates;
3. Factors that are likely to affect the size of Manitoba's provincial adult correctional population over the next five to ten years, including changes to relevant legislation, trends in crime rates and changes in the capacity of law enforcement and other partners in the justice system;
4. The current profile of Manitoba's provincial adult correctional population and any anticipated changes over the next five to ten years;
5. The differing needs of and ability to provide services and programs to remanded and sentenced inmates;
6. The relatively short duration of the stay of inmates in provincial custody;
7. Best practices followed in other correctional systems in Canada and elsewhere, in particular with respect to jail safety procedures, with a special focus on correctional officer safety, and specific strategies for suppressing and preventing gang activity behind bars;
8. The financial costs and social impacts associated with its recommendations.

The work of the review committee will be supported by a technical advisory group comprised of staff representatives from Manitoba Justice and Manitoba Infrastructure & Transportation.

The review committee will submit a written report to the Minister of Justice setting out options and recommendations by Spring 2012

The review committee will accept input from the public. Provide your comments or submissions via e-mail to correctionscapacity@gov.mb.ca.

We thank everyone who provides input. Replies will not be sent in response to comments and submissions received.

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