NEW PROVINCIAL CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ACT PROPOSED THIS SESSION

A proposed new Correctional Services Act has been brought forward for this legislative session. Once enacted, it will replace the existing Act, guiding administration and operation of the province's correctional system.

The proposed Act is geared to improve the safety and security of offenders, staff and the public, and originated out of The Road Ahead action plan, which called for a review of guiding legislation to ensure it matched the ministry's mandate.

Key features of the proposed legislation include amendments to strengthen search and inmate discipline provisions, to support segregation of inmates, to clarify the use of involuntary inmate transfers for managing emergencies and to expand drug testing provisions.

"Provisions have been included to modernize the Act, to ensure the safety of staff and inmates and the security of correctional facilities," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said.

The review of the Act also indicated that its language needed to be updated to be consistent with other jurisdictions, to respect rulings by various higher courts and to ensure programs have clear and explicit legal authority.

"The guiding principles enshrined in the proposed Act make protection of the public paramount," Huyghebaert said. "A new Act will also ensure that while operational efficiencies are gained, inmates are made more accountable for their actions."

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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: 306-535-2233