Deloitte Report Well Underway

The Department of Justice is improving, streamlining and updating procedures to enhance safety and security in provincial corrections.

The changes are part of the implementation of the Deloitte audit, which was completed in December 2008.

Ordered by Justice Minister and Attorney General Cecil Clarke, the report provides a comprehensive review of policies and procedures in the correctional system and offers 51 recommendations for change. To date, 17 have been implemented and the remainder are underway.

"We are working to enhance our system," said deputy minister of Justice Marian Tyson. "Although implementing all of the recommendations will take time, we are confident that this document will help us make needed improvements to the correctional system in our province."

The majority of the changes have occurred within the admissions and discharge unit of the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility. Such changes include:

• assigning a senior Department of Justice staff member to assist with the changes required in admissions and discharge
• hiring more staff to work in admissions and discharge and records management
• commencing training with admissions and discharge staff in areas of current admission and discharge policy and procedure
• making technological changes to increase process efficiency

Other changes are in progress in the areas of safety and security training, transportation and escorts, staffing and communications.