Construction done at new maximum-security wing of Saskatchewan Penitentiary

The overcrowding of prisons remains a major challenge and concern in Canada. As a result, the safety of inmates and staff alike is threatened and, ultimately, that of the public. The construction of more prisons is a necessary evil but, ultimately, a system that lowered crime and dealt with criminals in a way to rehabilitate them would be cheaper, better for society and more humane (and I know I'll get comments that I am soft on crime -- I think I am realistic on crime and the failures of our system but others will disagree)

Regardless, there are some clear reasons why Canadian prisons are overcrowded:

Incarceration is the norm, as opposed to one of a series of options available to courts.

Incarceration is presented as the best means of ensuring public protection.

The number of inmates increased dramatically over the past decade.

Rates of parole are declining.

The prison population includes greater numbers of inmates serving long and life sentences.

A greater number of inmates are designated as dangerous



Construction done at new maximum-security wing of Saskatchewan Penitentiary


PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. - Construction on a new $23-million, maximum-security unit at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary is done.

The news comes six months after a riot at the penitentiary sent 15 inmates to hospital. Officials say the new facility should help guards control the violence, especially as prison gang activity seems to be on the rise.

Warden Jason Hope says maximum-security prisoners require a more structured setting, something that was difficult to do when they were in medium-security units.

The new unit doubles the maximum-security capacity of the prison to 200 beds and relieves the need to double-bunk inmates.

There are also 500 medium-security beds in the prison.

"This takes pressure off other institutions that are having problems right now due to excessive numbers of maximum-security offenders in medium, so we welcome it," said Don Sather of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers.

Story here:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081107/national/sask_penitentiary_addition