News Release Archive
JUSTICE--RECONFIGURATION PLAN MOVES FORWARD ------------------------------------------------------------ Justice Minister Bill Gillis today announced the release of the call for proposals for the reconfiguration of the nine provincial adult correctional facilities. With this call, the search for a preferred supplier' begins. This preferred supplier will help Correctional Services to define, develop and implement a plan for adult correctional facilities. The call for proposals document has been developed as part of the co-operative business solutions process. It was developed by Correctional Services and its consultants HHW Consultants Inc/Partnering and Procurement Inc. 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. The principle objectives of the project are: to provide a safe and secure environment for offenders; safety for the public; and a safe and healthy working environment for staff; to provide the appropriate type and number of beds in the right locations; to provide rehabilitative programs that should complement those currently in existence; and to meet government's expenditure control targets. Once the preferred supplier is selected, a detailed study will be conducted. At that point, the preferred supplier, in co-operation with the province, will then design a new adult offender custody configuration. This plan will outline the number of institutions, their style and locations. Operational decisions will then follow. Only after the custody configuration plan has been completed will decisions be made on whether the facilities will be publicly operated, privately operated, or some combination of the two. The final stage of the project is implementation. "It is extremely important to note that we have not made any decisions on privatization," said Dr. Gillis. "We are doing a very careful analysis of our needs here in Nova Scotia, and our decisions will be made on that basis. It is simply premature to speculate on what level, if any, the private sector will have in operating adult correctional facilities." The preferred supplier is expected to be chosen by the end of April or early May. There are currently nine adult correctional facilities operated by the province, with an annual operating budget of $17.8 million. -30- Contact: Michele McKinnon 902-424-6811 trp Jan. 30, 1996 - 11:14 a.m.