The members of the committee can see that the initial projections on the usage of Northwest Territories correctional facilities by the Government of Nunavut were overly optimistic. Although this may change in the future, the committee agrees with the department's decision not to count on Nunavut in developing capital projections on the replacement of the Yellowknife Correctional Centre.
However, to replace the previously anticipated service payments from Nunavut, the committee would like to encourage the department in pursuing the placement of northern federal inmates in our system once we have capability. Besides the obvious financial benefit to the Government of the Northwest Territories in payments from the federal government, there are rehabilitative benefits that can be realized for these repatriated northern federal prisoners.
Committee members are of the opinion that federal inmates could also benefit from the department's innovative Wilderness Camp Program. Committee members believe that this provides inmates with an excellent opportunity to reintegrate into their community and traditional lifestyle and may lessen the shock of going from an institution to a community. Another positive feature of repatriating federal prisoners north is that families will have an increased opportunity to visit and support their incarcerated loved ones.
The committee looks forward to being apprised of the results of the official's meeting scheduled at the end of this month on the subject.