Starting July 3, 2014, the Ministry of Children and Family Development will begin transferring youth from Victoria to Burnaby Youth Custody Services.

Over the next 30 days: 

• Any long-term sentenced (over seven days) or long-term remanded youth will be transferred directly to Burnaby.
• Those sentenced youth currently in custody and due for release prior to the middle of August will remain in Victoria to complete their sentence. Those sentenced longer will move directly to Burnaby.
• Youth short-term remand and sentenced to fewer than seven days will continue to be housed at the Victoria youth custody centre until full closure (date to be determined).
• There will be ongoing review and assessment of each individual youth's circumstances.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development continues to be in discussions with Vancouver Island justice stakeholders regarding the temporary holding of youth. All youth provincial prisoners are the ministry’s responsibility by law. All future operational decisions will ensure programs and custody arrangements support youth while maintaining community safety.

Effective today, impacted staff are receiving the required 90-day notifications in accordance with their collective agreement. Options for staff could include accepting a pre-layoff canvas to leave government service or reassignment to another position within the public service, among other options. The ministry will continue to work with impacted employees during this transition period to discuss their options and provide access to counselling.

Media Contacts:

Sheldon Johnson
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 213-5811

BACKGROUNDER

B.C. Youth Custody Services

• Prior to closing Victoria Youth Custody Services, B.C.’s operational capacity is 132 staffed beds (84 in Burnaby, 24 in Prince George, 24 in Victoria).
• Once the Victoria facility is closed, B.C.’s operational youth custody capacity will be 108 (84 in Burnaby and 24 in Prince George), the average daily count of youth last year was 74.
• Physical capacity refers to what the operational capacity would be if all beds were fully staffed. After closing Victoria Youth Custody Services, enough physical capacity will remain to support any significant increase of youth in custody up to 171 beds (111 in Burnaby and 60 in Prince George).
• This means B.C. will retain enough operational capacity for a 58% increase in the average daily count of youth in custody and enough physical capacity for a 130% increase.

Burnaby Youth Custody Services

• Built in 1990 and became a dedicated youth custody facility in 2007.
• Physical capacity of 111 beds.
• Current operational capacity of 84.
• Had a daily average count of 43 youth in custody in 2013-14.
• Has both secure and open custody units for both male and female youth.
• Programs for youth include:
• Core and elective educational programming. Examples include computers, art, cooking, textiles, vocational and physical education. In addition, learning assistance and English as a second language services are available.
• Vocational programming may include: resumé building, forklift certification, flagging courses, WHMIS, first aid, etc.
• Ongoing medical and emergency dental services.
• Mental health services through both contracted and Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services.
• Substance use counselling and treatment.
• Contracted Aboriginal liaison workers.
• Chaplaincy and advocacy services and life-skills training.
• Volunteer services such as supportive visits, tutoring or special event planning.
• Intensive support and supervision (ISSP) in the community for higher risk youth which complements, but does not replace the support and supervision provided by a community probation officer. ISSP supports the young person’s participation in social activities, community reintegration, and monitoring compliance with court orders.
• Gender-specific rehabilitative programming for female youth including: substance use treatment, Girls’ Circle - Promoting Resiliency & Self-esteem for Girls, Rights to Success for Girls, Aboriginal culture programs for female youth, life-skills, health care, and chaplaincy services.

Prince George Youth Custody Services

• Opened as a dedicated youth custody facility in June 1989.
• Physical capacity of 60 beds.
• Current operational capacity of 24.
• Had a daily average count of 16.5 youth in custody in 2013-14.
• Has both secure and open custody units for male youth.
• Also has short-term housing available for female youth for up to seven days.
• Programs for youth include:
• Core and elective educational programming. Electives include, for example, computers, art, cooking, vocational and physical education. In addition, learning assistance and English as a second language services are available to meet the needs of youth.
• Vocational programming that might include: resumé building, WHMIS, first aid, Food Safe, Wilderness Safety (e.g., bear awareness, compass & GPS programs, fire suppression, etc.), and a new barista program was implemented in April 2014.
• Ongoing medical and emergency dental services.
• Mental-health services through both contracted and Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services.
• Substance use counselling and treatment.
• Contracted Aboriginal liaison workers.
• Chaplaincy and advocacy services and life-skills training.
• Volunteer services such as supportive visits and story-telling.
• Intensive support and supervision (ISSP) in the community for higher risk youth that complements, but does not replace the support and supervision provided by a community probation officer. ISSP supports the young person’s participation in pro-social activities, community reintegration, and monitoring compliance with court orders.
• Various Aboriginal culture programs, including sweat lodge, smudge and tipi ceremonies, drum making, traditional food preparation and arts and crafts linked to ceremony.

Media Contacts:

Sheldon Johnson
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 213-5811