CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Dauphin jail closure will prove devastating

The Brandon Sun - 4/22/2020

These are very difficult and complex times. The government has been thoughtful, respectful and obviously accepting advice from others when dealing with the fallout from a need to flatten the curve.

In late January, the Pallister government announced that the Dauphin Correctional Centre would close in May of this year. The closure means a direct loss of 80 jobs to a small city economy that will need to rebuild after the true economic impacts of COVID-19 can be measured.

It causes significant concern of its impacts on staff, their families, inmates, their families and the larger community when they are forced to move, given our new normal.

Below is the letter I sent to Justice Minister Cliff Cullen and to my local MLA, Brad Michaleski, to which I’ve had no response.

Dear Mr. Cullen,

Let me re-introduce myself. I am Lynn Smith from Dauphin. You and I had a conversation in Glenboro, where you were attending hockey provincials at the end of February. I did appreciate your stopping to speak to me. I do however, believe that it is the role and responsibility of any democratically elected official to be receptive to hearing from those they serve and for citizens to respectfully share their ideas and opinions.

I asked you for a number of things that day. Primarily, my request was for you and your government to “listen” — to hear the concerns, to hear some proposals and alternatives, and for you to advocate to your colleagues and leader so they will also listen.

I had asked for information to assist in understanding how the decision to close Dauphin Correctional Centre was made. There was a plan in place — based on research and established need — to replace the existing correctional facility and deliver a modern corrections model that incorporates some treatment programs/supports for inmates and their families in order to reduce recidivism and bring about positive societal outcomes which result in safer communities.

The land for this was already committed. To date, no explanation about how or why this direction was ignored has been shared. Please provide that explanation.

It is my understanding that there has not been a “transition team” as you addressed in the media. Besides the correctional officers, there have been other families affected in our community from the “bumping” process. Job losses are real. Collateral, unintended impacts of decisions made in isolation are also real.

In this critical time identified now as a global pandemic, which our province, our country and our society as a whole must face, you seem to be determined to implement your plan. Families are unable to sell homes, look for new homes or travel to familiarize themselves with different communities or schools for their children. Families are already experiencing significant stress from your mandated closure, and a move from their chosen position, a move to a new community and potential separation of family.

They are now faced with the threat of COVID-19. The Manitoba government and the federal government have determined that staying at home, reducing exposure, self-isolating and social distancing are the most effective ways to address this threat. How can those affected by the proposed jail closure do what is needed in their personal lives to meet the mandate and decisions of your department?

Your decision forces inmates and potentially their families to move. Inmates are to move to already crowded facilities. How does that meet the new reality mandated by social distance? How does this impact inmate families? Many inmates are from this area, and should this closure happen, their families are required to travel longer distances to new facilities and other communities just to maintain familial connections. How does this re-enforce the recommendation of staying at home?

This government appears to be determined to push forward with this decision regardless of negative implications, whether it be in justice outcomes, health outcomes or economic outcomes.

I do not believe there has been consultation nor meaningful discussion in regards to the decision to close Dauphin Correctional Centre — certainly not any discussion prior to the announcement nor any commitment to communicate to consider anything else. Bounce-back emails and form letters are not communication.

I do realize there are some changes needed to the current facility; as there were five years ago. I ask that you take this time to work with the community to determine some valuable options. I believe it is imperative to recognize the hardships and risks any move now would cause.

The negative economic impacts of this closure are very significant to Dauphin and to communities in this Parkland area. Your response to concerns about the economic impact has been to promote the idea of investing in tourism that may offset the loss of 80 families to our communities, schools and economy.

In our existing reality and the economic impacts of COVID-19, that will not happen. You have failed to produce any plan. The unprecedented economic downturn in the global and Canadian economy coupled with the impact of this decision will be devastating to this area. I look forward to hearing from you.

LYNN SMITH

Dauphin