Debates of June 2, 2004 (day 18)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stood up in the House before, questioning the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and also the Minister of Justice, on the Yellowknife Correctional Centre. The two issues that come to mind are staff morale at the centre and safety, Mr Speaker.

I am wondering if the Minister is aware that currently at the Yellowknife Correctional Centre, there are new employees working the floor of that facility with a four-day training course under their belts. Typically, Mr. Speaker, it’s a 10-day course. I wonder if this causes the Minister any concern and does he feel it compromises the safety of the staff and the inmates of that facility? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 201-15(3): Training Of Corrections Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have every confidence that the training and supervision is adequate at the centre. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 201-15(3): Training Of Corrections Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I feel, and I have mentioned this before in the House, that I believe it’s only a matter of time before a serious incident takes place at the Yellowknife Correctional Centre. Does the Minister know that due to a lack of staff at the facility, they are currently paying out exorbitant amounts of overtime? Some employees are even working double and triple shifts. This practice certainly has to compromise the safety of the building, the staff and the inmates who are currently there, and I am wondering what the Minister will do to address this issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 201-15(3): Training Of Corrections Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I am confident that the facility is safe, and what we are doing, as the Member will have probably noticed, is that there have been a number of positions advertised. So we are moving to fill some of the positions that have been filled on a casual basis, and we will have more permanent staff who will be able to take the training, and hopefully that will reduce the number of overtime shifts that are required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 201-15(3): Training Of Corrections Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know a colleague of mine, Ms. Lee, had a written question to the Minister the other day. My final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, to the Minister is when can we expect an answer to that written question? My questions are along the same lines. How much has the department paid in overtime over the past six months as opposed to the six months previous, and what is the vacancy rate there today, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. There were probably three questions there. Mr. Dent, you can choose to answer one or all three.

Further Return To Question 201-15(3): Training Of Corrections Workers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the only one I can answer for sure is that I will endeavour to have the answer to Ms. Lee’s written question within a week, and I will copy all Members on it so that they have access to it. It will contain the sort of information the Member asked for specifically, subsequent to that, which I don’t have at my fingertips.