N.L. to spend $15M over next 2 years on HMP upgrades

With a new penitentiary at least three years away, the provincial government is spending $15 million over the next two years, including $8 million this year, on temporary upgrades at Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

Justice Minister John Hogan says the money, which was announced in last week's provincial budget, will be earmarked for things like new spaces for recreation, programming and improved access to visitation.

"Over the the next few years as construction starts and moves towards completion it's very clear that we need some temporary measures at HMP to deal with and address some of the conditions that are there right now," Hogan told CBC News on Tuesday. 

There was no money in the budget to begin construction on a new facility to replace HMP, which is one of the oldest correctional centres in Canada.

The province is currently assessing the results of its request for qualifications, which was issued in December for a second time. Only one company came forward — New Avalon Corrections Partners — and Hogan said the Transportation and Infrastructure Department is now assessing their qualifications to do the work.

After that, a request for proposals will be issued, at which point the company would have to submit a cost estimate and a formal plan.

New Avalon Corrections Partners is led by Plenary Americas, the company that was selected through the previous request for proposals.

The company's first plan was scrapped by the province after costs skyrocketed. Speaking Tuesday, Hogan said the pricetag of Plenary's plan had doubled or tripled, forcing them back to the drawing board in December.

While there's a long road ahead, Hogan said, he's confident it will result in a new facility — unlike various prior attempts by different governments going back decades.

"I do believe that in the next three years there will be a facility that will replace HMP," Hogan said.

New spending welcome news for advocate

Cindy Murphy is anxiously awaiting the opening of a new correctional facility, but in the meantime she's glad to see money being spent to combat "general deterioration of an ancient building that really has to go."

Murphy, executive director of the provincial chapter of the John Howard Society, said conditions at the prison are horrible for staff and inmates, coexisting in a crumbling building infested with rodents.

Her organization has been advocating for the province to address the issues with short-term solutions while they wait for a new facility.

"We were really pleased to hear there was a substantial amount of money set aside for improvements to Her Majesty's Penitentiary in the meantime," she said. "So that was very good news for us."

While details remain sparse, part of the plan is to park more trailers on the grounds and use them for programming, which Murphy said was a welcome addition.

She was also happy to see a commitment in the budget to hire 22 new correctional officers, with most going to HMP. That's in addition to the 50 correctional officers hired in the past year through a recruitment drive and a $10,000 bursary.

The penitentiary has been plagued by staffing shortages over the past year, which prompted a letter from the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in February warning that inmates were unable to speak with their lawyers because there were no staff to facilitate visits.

"That's certainly going to go a long way to improving access to the prison and help improve the conditions for those who are working down there," Murphy said. "People were really tired and demoralized because of the forced extra time they had to work. You know, it has a real impact on family and all kinds of things. I think this is a positive move."

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