As per the latest update from the provincial government, space may soon be even more limited at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Correctional changes

P.A. Correctional to become re-direction site for Saskatoon inmates, following COVID spike in Saskatoon

Nov 26, 2020 | 5:58 PM

Effective Thursday, all remanded and sentenced offenders in the province are being sent to the Regina and Prince Albert Correctional Centres, and there will be no new admissions to the Saskatoon Correctional Centre.

The decision by the provincial government is in direct response to a spike in COVID-19 cases at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre where 68 offenders and four staff members were infected.

Noel Busse, executive director of communications for the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, was asked during a media conference call Thursday about possible capacity challenges at either the men’s or women’s jails in Prince Albert.

“We’re confident that we’ll be able to manage the extra offender population in those facilities in the short term. In the long term we make look at using other correctional facilities to ensure we are able to effectively manage the population,” he said.

Throughout the pandemic Busse said staff members made use of contingency spaces at the facilities such as gyms. The government also has some temporary structures in place at both the Regina and Saskatoon Correctional facilities.

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In addition to the re-direction of inmates, the provincial government has also introduced some other measures to help lower and reduce the risk of COVID-19 at the correctional facilities. The biggest change going forward will be mandatory masking for all inmates, which previously only correctional officials were required to do.

Additionally all new admissions will be tested starting early next week, and new admissions will continue to be quarantined for 14 days. Busse recognized the changes may be difficult for the inmates, but assured reporters the staff will conduct rounds and address inmate concerns or questions.

“There are some restrictions in place that wouldn’t normally be in place in the correctional system but those restrictions are there specifically to maintain safety and security of offenders, staff and the facility itself,” he said.

Busse said the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union requested optional accommodation for staff members who require isolation.

Busse said currently there is no plan to fulfill the request, but added the government will continue to monitor the situation and will have an ongoing dialogue with the union representing correctional employees.

As of Wednesday at 4 p.m, two Prince Albert Correctional staff members had tested positive for the virus. There are zero cases at Pine Grove.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell