Prince George, B.C.-  While saying  no one  wants to celebrate the  opening of  a jail,  Solicitor General Mike deJong  says the new   women's facility at the Prince George Correctional Centre  will make a difference to those who, unfortunately, have to be incarcerated "As a society  we endeavour to address that (incarceration) in a responsible and  effective was as we can, but we do  more than try to impose sanction and punishment,  we try to  create conditions in which the  acts or  behaviour  which gave rise to that sanction will change.  This is a facilty  that is dedicated to doing that."

 

The new women’s unit at the Prince George regional Correctional centre will likely start receiving inmates by mid to late October.

 

Warden Joanne Hawkins says the 20 unit, 40 bed facility still has some technical upgrades to be completed and there will need to be eight new staff members hired.

 

The Unit cost $11.5 million dollars with a further $3.9 million in technical upgrades to the entire PGRCC that will see improvements to the back up power system and video surveillance systems.

 

The new unit has 40 regular beds, and two specialized beds for those who are ill.

 

The cells each have two beds made of a preformed plastic like material,  a sink, toilet, preformed desk and shelf and coat hook.

 

The unit has  a gym with work out equipment, sewing room, laundry facilities, common areas, large kitchen and a courtyard. 

 

Warden Hawkins says on average, there are about 20 female inmates at the facility, but the larger unit will mean women from the north who are serving sentences in the lower mainland at the Alouette Correctional Centre  can ask to be transferred  to Prince George to be closer to their families and support systems.

 

The new addition has dedicated program space and an enhanced security  system, rehabilitative and educational programs will be offered.

 

The area in the main building at the jail previously used for female  inmates will revert back to program and cell space for men.