New Correctional Facility Will Save Millions

NOTE: A social media version of this release, with high resolution, downloadable photos, graphics and audio clips is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2010-11-01-New-Jail/ . More elements will be added later today, Nov. 1.

Minister of Justice Ross Landry announced the construction of a single 100-cell correctional facility in Coalburn, Pictou Co., today, Nov. 1, saving the province millions of dollars.

"The Department of Justice carefully examined factors like cost, location, operational efficiency, and proximity to courthouses and emergency services, and the Coalburn site is clearly the best option from both a cost and operational perspective," said Mr. Landry.

A previous proposal would have built two 50-cell facilities in the region. By building one 100-cell facility, the province is saving about $5.5 million in construction costs and $1.7 million every year in operating costs.

The facility, with two beds per cell, will be built near Coalburn, next to Highway 104, east of Thorburn highway Exit 26. The site will provide quick and easy access to medical, police, fire and other services. The facility will service the courthouses in Truro, Amherst, New Glasgow, Pictou, Antigonish, and, to some extent, Port Hawkesbury.

It will relieve future pressures from other correctional facilities, including the one in Dartmouth. The facility replaces the aging Antigonish and Cumberland correctional facilities, which were built in 1948 and 1890 respectively.

"A business case prepared by Department of Justice staff compared three candidate sites using standard criteria and recommended the Coalburn site," said Mr. Landry. "I agree with that recommendation."

The new facility will create about 70 new jobs.

The tendering process for the project will begin immediately. The facility is expected to be completed in two to three years.

The facility will cost about $31 million to build.

For more information about the facility, go to www.gov.ns.ca/just/ .