The Ministry of Children and Family Development is continuing its intensive support and supervision program (ISSP) on Vancouver Island, which will now be supported by a five-person transport team.

The transport team will move youth after-hours, on weekends and on statutory holidays when sheriffs are not available. The team will be critical to ensuring youth spend minimal time in police cells, as well as helping to maintain family connections for those island youth sentenced to custody in Burnaby.

ISSP services, which are currently offered by both community agencies and custody staff, facilitate youth participation in activities and programs, like substance use counselling, that reduce the risk to reoffend. The goal of these programs is to help youth to successfully return to their community after time served. Compliance with court orders is also monitored.

While the date for full closure of the Victoria youth custody centre has not yet been determined, workforce adjustment discussions continue, and the following actions are currently underway:

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

Media Contacts:

Shawn Larabee
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 514-0510