Thank you, Madam Chair. Currently, we're assessing that the corrections training budget is going to be sufficient to cover the one-time training for the Corrections Act implementation as well as our therapeutic community transition. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of March 3rd, 2021
This is page numbers 2299 - 2340 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was indigenous.
Topics
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Bolstad
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Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chair. I think corrections is probably one of those areas that always gets thought of lost for money, but to me, it's not just the training under the Corrections Act and the work under the therapeutic model. I don't really understand how we can do that without increased money for programming. There are a number of things, I think, to truly bring the Corrections Act online in the way it was intended. Is the department currently doing any work to review its programming needs across corrections and see if we can increase some of the programming for inmates?
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R.J. Simpson Hay River North
Thank you. Corrections takes an ongoing improvement approach to the programming, so there is always a thought to what is happening, what we can do better, what needs to be done. In the not-too-distant past, there has been a significant amount of work done on programs for offenders. Perhaps the deputy minister can expand. Thank you.
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Doolittle
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, we are constantly, continuously trying to improve our programming. Some of the work that we are currently doing is we are revamping the corrections recruitment training program, the CRTP. We are providing mental health leadership training to our corrections supervisors and managers as well as trauma-informed care training, along with a long list that is available and that we can certainly provide but that is also on our website by facility of the training that we do provide in the corrections service. However, we are constantly reviewing it to make sure that it is appropriate and meets the needs of our inmates who we provide services to. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. One of the things that comes out of the corrections budget would be anything associated with any ways in which the Minister intends to address the concerns raised in the employee assessment done. I'm wondering, given that there isn't an increase in this budget, if the Minister feels that the concerns addressed in the employee assessment will be able to be met with the existing budget. Thank you.
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R.J. Simpson Hay River North
Thank you. Yes, I believe so. A lot of the issues aren't ones that take money to solve. A lot of them are culture changes and things like that, and that kind of work can be done with no additional cost. Costs associated with things like uniforms aren't exceptionally high, and so things like that can be dealt with, as well. There may have been some savings over the past year in corrections, I'm not sure, what we may be able to use for that, as well. Maybe the deputy minister can respond. Thanks.
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Doolittle
Thank you, Madam Chair. Currently, right now, there is a working group that's been formed with the Department of Justice, Finance, and the Union of Northern Workers. They are currently assessing this work and developing an accountability framework, and this will help inform any funding needs going forward. Otherwise, we are continuing to work within our budget appropriation. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I'm wondering if, in future, one of the things that we talk about quite a bit is the need for healing within correctional facilities and also the need for cultural programming, as well. I'm wondering if the Department of Justice would be willing to break out the financials that it spends year after year on cultural programming within its correctional facilities so that we can see that, as well? Thank you.
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R.J. Simpson Hay River North
Thank you. I'll ask Ms. Bolstad if she has that information on hand. If not, I guess we can. Thank you.
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Bolstad
Thank you, Madam Chair. The numbers, I don't have here with me today. It is a little difficult because it's portions of staff time, portions of it that get allocated to this. It's a difficult exercise when we go to cost it; however, we can definitely take a look at it. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. On page 280, there is contributions of offender reintegration. Would that be considered the after-care supports received by inmates when they are released from care? Thank you.
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R.J. Simpson Hay River North
Deputy Minister, I think, or Ms. Bolstad. Ms. Bolstad can answer that. Thanks.
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Bolstad
Thank you, Madam Chair. That contribution money is for when the therapeutic community is operational, and it is for after-care reintegration services with our community partners. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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