Mr. Chairman, the incident that the Member is referring to, happens not only here in the Northwest Territories, but in other places in the country. The facilities house offenders, people who commit offences of different natures. We cannot realistically believe that they would not be inclined, some time during their incarceration, to consider committing further crimes. This particular incident does not discourage me from stating what I feel is the mandate of corrections. This is what our intention is. This is what we think our job is and when incidents such as this arise, of course we are concerned and we check it out. We have had a thorough review and investigation into this particular incident. Some measures to try to minimize the recurrence of such an incident is being looked at. The fact is that we cannot watch each individual inmate 24 hours per day. We do not have the ability to do this. We simply cannot do it. There are going to be cases where offences are committed within the facilities. It is our job to do what it is that we feel our mandates are.
Stephen Kakfwi on Bill 17: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94
In the Legislative Assembly on March 4th, 1993. See this statement in context.
Bill 17: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 3rd, 1993
Page 747
See context to find out what was said next.