News Release Archive
JUSTICE--RECONFIGURATION PLAN MOVES FORWARD ------------------------------------------------------------------ A consultant has been chosen to guide a Cooperative Business Solution (CBS) process to upgrade and reconfigure adult correctional facilities in Nova Scotia. HHW Consultants Inc./Partnering Procurement Inc. will assist the Justice Department's correctional services branch in managing the procurement process, Justice Minister Bill Gillis said today. The CBS process is a new approach to government procurement. The process does not prescribe specific work to be completed or goods furnished. Instead, objectives are identified and prospective partners suggest methods to achieve these goals, working in co-operation with government. HHW/PPI will work with Correctional Services to select a "preferred supplier" or partner. This partner will help to define, develop and implement a plan for adult correctional facilities. The plan will outline the number of institutions, style and location, appropriate security level, and core programs for inmates. The department will then work with the preferred supplier on implementation. Whether correctional facilities will be operated publicly or privately will be decided as the process proceeds. "Although we are moving ahead with this process, it is important to note that no decision has been made regarding the level of private sector involvement in the operation of correctional facilities, if any" said Dr. Gillis. "We are carefully examining all of our options, and want to find a solution that's in the best interest of taxpayers, and updates and improves our system." To better understand the options that may be involved in the reconfiguration plan, a tour of correctional facilities in the United States is planned. During the next week, three senior staff members of the Department of Justice and two Nova Scotia Government Employees Union representatives will visit several U.S. facilities. The objective of the tour is to examine a number of private and publicly run institutions, with varying inmate capacities, and security levels. Institutions in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida will be visited. "It's important that we examine as many options as possible, and ensure that union members are part of the fact finding process," said Dr. Gillis. "We have held regular meetings with union representatives, and will continue to keep them informed regarding this process." HHW/PPI will now assist Correctional Services in preparing the CBS call for proposals, which is expected to go out later this fall, with a partner selected before the end of February. Currently there are nine adult correctional facilities in the province, with an annual operating budget of $17.8 million. -30- Contact: Michele McKinnon 902-424-6811 trp Oct. 27, 1995