Mr. Speaker, I have two returns. One is in response to a question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 1 with regard to use of federal/territorial correctional services agreement. Mr. Speaker, in response to the question concerning the federal/territorial correctional exchange of services agreement, its preamble sets out reasons for the agreement. Inmates serving sentences of more than two years come under federal authority and would, without the agreement, have to serve time in federal institutions. Some reasons listed in the preamble why the inmate would be kept in the Northwest Territories, under the agreement, include access to available programs, no security concerns, the particular needs of the offender including access to one's home community or culture and space which is available in our facility.

The decision to allow an inmate in question to remain in the Northwest Territories was a joint decision that included the full support of the Correctional Service of Canada Parole. Inmates considered for retention by the GNWT under the agreement, are those who qualify under the general provisions but specifically we would look at those who are first-time offenders who do not present a risk to the public, who have limited experience in prisons, who are unilingual in an aboriginal language and who are residents in the Northwest Territories or who have lived here for a number of years. Thank you.