Prisons around the province are overcrowded and it’s putting staff, and even inmates, at risk.
That comes from a report released by BC’s Auditor General Tuesday that has found that prisons are at 140% capacity on average, with Prince George 165% for men, 112% for women, as of last year.
Carol Bellringer says the audit raised more concerns than it answered questions.
“When you talk about whether or not prisons are safe, the answer is … we don’t know, and the division couldn’t tell us.” she admits. “So, that’s why the recommendations we made went in the direction it did.”
Bellringer says “security incidents” in prisons have increased 97% and recommends better data on that to track and manage violence in prisons.
She says the audit also found a “major failure” with BC’s prison system; inmates don’t get programs they need for sufficient rehabilitation, leaving them likely to re-offend once they’re released.
The report forecasts that inmate numbers are expected to increase province-wide in eight years, which increases the potential for conflicts even further.
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