Department Tightens Processes
The Justice Department has taken steps to tighten its processes today, April 1, in response to two mistaken releases that have recently occurred.
The action was taken to reduce the risk of human error and to improve public safety when the Justice Minister learned of another mistaken release in Halifax that occurred March 31.
"This is completely unacceptable and we have to take serious action," said Attorney General and Justice Minister Cecil Clarke. "The public's faith in the justice system is shaken and we will no longer tolerate human errors as a result of inattention and carelessness."
Mr. Clarke learned from corrections staff late Wednesday, April 1, that a Dartmouth man, Ryan Jessop, 22, was mistakenly released from Spring Garden Road courts Tuesday, March 31.
Mr. Jessop went to Halifax court for failure to comply with a court condition. He should have been returned to the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside to await a court appearance in Shubenacadie to face additional charges of break and enter, possession of a weapon, uttering threats and extortion on April 16.
There was an error on one document that indicated he did not have to return.
The other man who was mistakenly released, Chancelor Faulkner, has been apprehended and is back in custody as of late Wednesday.
Effective today, April 1, the forms that accompany an inmate to and from court will have an additional alert prompt requiring corrections staff to doublecheck whether the individual is supposed to return to the facility in Burnside following a court appearance.
The department will increase supervision of the Admissions and Discharge area. A senior employee will be assigned to oversee the Admissions and Discharge process and a new compliance and oversight position will be created to ensure accuracy of information.
Digital recorders will be put on all telephones to record communications in relation to the transferring of inmates.
Halifax Regional Police have been notified and are seeking Mr. Jessop. Anyone with information on his whereabouts are asked to call police.
A photo of Mr. Jessop can be found at http://gov.ns.ca/news/photos/Ryan-Jessop.jpg
