Statement made on 17 November 2011 by Senator Nick Sibbeston
Hon. Nick G. Sibbeston:
Honourable senators, the correctional system in the Northwest Territories uses what is called dynamic supervision as a way of managing inmates. This allows staff to mingle with prisoners and identify and prevent problems before they get out of hand.
This only works because northern jails are different from southern jails. They are full, but for the moment they are not bursting at the seams. If they are forced to handle more prisoners this system will change, making these institutions much more dangerous for inmates and staff.
Some provinces have said they will reduce the number of cases they will prosecute. In the North, it is the federal government that controls who gets prosecuted and, therefore, how many new prisoners will be sent to jail.
Given the major role Canada has in determining how many northern inmates there will be, will the federal government ensure that northern territories will have sufficient resources to manage an increase in the number of prisoners? Further, will Canada provide the territories with increased capital and operating funds for their correctional system?
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