Mr. Speaker, whether the facilities are located in Fort Smith or any other location, the fact is we are dealing here with youth who have some problems. They are, in many cases, troubled. They need counselling. They need some form of discipline. They need support, and the staff that we have are trained to provide that.
There is no place in this world, regardless of the number of bars, locks and armed guards we have, that will wipe out these types of incidents. It's the nature of how to run these types of facilities. Because you lock children up, hold them in custody of some form, does not mean that they will at some time or other, either frivolously or going about it in a well planned methodical way, not try to get away or break out and in some cases become violent in the process.
I would say that the triple designation of these facilities at that time, was a good decision. I still think it's a good decision. It gives us the flexibility to use the facilities to the best means we can for the need we have. The Member will know that previous Ministers, going back as far as 1988, have said that part of the difficulty we have -- I can quote previous Ministers on this -- is that it is very difficult to plan for using facilities when the intake of young offenders fluctuates so much. Triple designation was the solution we thought would best work and we think it has been well received by the staff. It certainly gives us the flexibility we need to use what is sometimes very under-utilized staff and facilities. Thank you.