P.A. prison marks 100 years
A century after the first cell doors were opened, staff at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert continue to focus on the rehabilitation of federally sentenced inmates.
On Wednesday, staff and dignitaries marked the 100th anniversary of the penitentiary. The facility has grown since its opening and warden Jason Hope said public safety and the safe reintegration of offenders back into the community remain the top priority.
“When we’re going forward, it comes down to public safety (and) with rehabilitation or programs that address risk comes public safety,” Hope said. “That is the priority of being a warden. It’s to keep the surrounding communities safe that inmates are released into by doing the job that we do and doing it well.”
The Saskatchewan Penitentiary opened May 16, 1911, with 36 inmates. By the end of that year, the facility had just over 60 inmates and the warden at the time remarked that crime wasn’t really a big problem in the province.
A century later, the institution has five units and 623 inmates – 10 less than capacity. The penitentiary features four medium-security units, one maximum-security unit and a family visiting area. It employs 591 people.
Inmates have access to programming to deal with anger and violence issues, finish high school and build skills in areas such as cabinet making, textiles and computer science. Religious and cultural teachings are also available and both chaplains and aboriginal elders regularly visit the facility to work with inmates.
Joan Dunajski, the regional director for community and executive services with the Correctional Service of Canada, said the anniversary event marked the work that has been done to help offenders reintegrate into society. Staff work hard to show inmates more positive ways to behave and interact, she said.
“I don’t think you ever really celebrate somebody’s disadvantages in life, but you celebrate the successes that have been made,” Dunajski said.
“We deal with a very difficult clientele . . . (we are) trying to mirror community life.”
Issues such as drugs, violence, gangs and mental health issues continue to be a challenge throughout the prison, said Darcy Begrand, spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Penitentiary. There are a number of things the institution does to help offenders and minimize the risk of violence, he said, including offering sports and exercise equipment, a canteen, educational opportunities and counselling for mental health issues and substance abuse.
Don Head, commissioner for the Correctional Service of Canada, said times have changed at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary. While security has increased, the penitentiary has a strong volunteer component and works with a number of individuals and community groups to help inmates.
“Partners and stakeholders play an essential role in the correctional process,” Head added. “The Saskatchewan Penitentiary is truly a community-driven institution.”
Article source: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/p-prison-marks-100-years-090259729.html
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