Dauphin jail deserves a better plan

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/02/2020 (1767 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Parkland region is reeling from the devastating announcement that the Dauphin Correctional Centre (DCC) will close on May 29, 2020. The shock and dismay has touched us all in many ways; the community and region have rallied in an attempt to convince Justice Minister Cliff Cullen, the premier and his government that for the reasons below it is unnecessary — and, indeed, folly — to close the centre. We believe there is a better way.

A public meeting held shortly after the announcement drew a large and angry crowd comprising a cross-section of this vibrant region. A subsequent march and demonstration took place, and more are planned. The effects of the closure were well articulated and can be summarized as devastating in many ways.

Economically: It is estimated that as a direct result of the closure, the region will lose 80 stable middle-income jobs and see an exodus of hundreds of young people. These folks will move away to seek employment, support their families or relocate their business as a result of the inevitable economic downturn. An equivalent hit would be approximately 450 middle-income stable positions cut from Brandon and an exodus of about 1,000 people, or roughly 8,000 jobs cut and an exodus of 25,000 people from Winnipeg.

A reasonable estimate of the direct loss of revenue to our region is $6-8 million annually. This is only the direct cost; indirect costs will include loss to businesses, loss of partner’s employment, business closures, reduced real-estate and business equity and much more. This seems a horrible price to pay when there is no great financial saving for the government.

It apparently wants to transfer salaries and positions to other overcrowded facilities in the province. Rather than saving money, the resulting economic loss in our region willd negatively affect future government revenue through lost taxes, loss of economic activity and a myriad of anticipated extra social costs (policing, health, education, crime, etc.) that will result.

These impacts will lessen any potential private-sector investment or economic-activity interest in the region. Any astute businessperson knows that a solid infrastructure, built on stable jobs, solid social services and economic optimism, is necessary to build a reliable customer base. That requires positive economic stimulus from both government and private enterprise.

Sadly, that is not the message given by our elected representatives by needlessly drawing the shutters at DCC.

Judicially: Clearly, the minister has misread the capacity of the existing correctional facilities to house Dauphin’s inmate population by transfers. All the existing facilities, save one, report they are currently over capacity. Further, is very likely that transferring the inmates to distant facilities, replete with overcrowding, negative influences of gangs and violence and further removed from positive family supports can only drive up recidivism and increase future crime.

The DCC, because of its smaller size, is able to provide much more personal and positive influences, which qualitatively and quantitatively show better outcomes for inmates in reduced recidivism, restorative approaches and effective interventions.

Socially: The stress and uncertainty for the families affected is enormous, and health concerns have already been reported. Uprooting families affects the entire community, and is especially hard on children. Families, daycares, health services and schools are all reporting increased anxiety, worry and acting out because of the uncertainty.

As our representatives, MLAs have a responsibility to listen to and act on the advice of citizens. The advice from our region that you have received, and will continue to receive, is clear and overwhelming. You gain credibility and respect when you rethink poor decisions and find better ways; you lose credibility if you stonewall behind paternalistic postures of “We know better.”

The evidence is clear regarding of the costs to our region of this needless act. We propose that this decision be put on the shelf. There is no need to close DCC, and many good reasons not to close.

We urge our politicians to have the wisdom to recognize the opportunity before them — an opportunity to avoid treating our region as unworthy of support, but rather a region that can grow and prosper with some leadership, collaboration, thoughtfulness and investment. It is well known that our Indigenous partners are very willing to look at a wellness/containment facility; such a facility was deemed necessary and was identified for our region in previous government plans.

We are certain that the city of Dauphin and the RM, along with federal and Indigenous organizations, are united in calling a stop to the needless closure until a co-ordinated campaign and plan can be developed to build such a facility in Dauphin. We need our elected representatives to step up, think forward and roll up their sleeves to build something of which we can all be proud. That is a better way.

We look forward to meeting, supporting, advocating and educating as needed. We need our elected representatives to be wise and lead.

Larry Budzinski is a member of the Dauphin Correction Centre Coalition.