NEW REGINA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OFFICIALLY OPENED

The new 216-cell facility at the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre was officially opened today.

The new facility replaces the wing of the Correctional Centre built in 1913. This section held approximately 216 sentenced and remand offenders, as well as a number of administrative and program areas.

"This facility is an extension of our Government's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all our province's citizens," said Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Darryl Hickie. "This new structure provides a workable balance between necessary supervision and control of inmates and effective programs to help offenders return to their community as productive citizens."

Justice Minister Don Morgan said the new facility is the result of an ongoing partnership among Aboriginal leaders, community-based organizations, municipal and federal police services, and the Government of Saskatchewan.

"I also see an outstanding collaborative effort in which we can all take pride," Morgan said.

The new facility features a total of 216 cells, distributed as follows:
• 144-cell remand unit;
• 48 high-security cells;
• 12 medium-security cells; and
• 12 medical cells.

It also includes a health care out-patient clinic, an inmate admission/discharge area with an enclosed vehicle port, a no-contact visiting area and an interim administration building.

Government Services Minister Dan D'Autremont said the new facility is also environmentally sound. "We anticipate this building will be the first correctional centre certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDS) in Canada."

Cost of the construction project was approximately $51.5 million.

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For more information, contact:

Judy Orthner
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5883
Email: judy.orthner@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 535-2233