The provincial government has released some details of it’s action plan for the Kenora Jail.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford was on hand Friday afternoon to announce a number of improvements that are being made to improve safety.
“We are committed to taking immediate action to address the issues at the Kenora Jail that have had an impact on the safety of correctional officers,” says Rickford.
“Today’s announcement of a plan to improve security at the jail reverses that trend and will improve the safety of our front line correctional officers.”
The action plan was developed in response to an incident at the Jail last fall, which involved several inmates took a correctional services officer hostage.
Here are some of the key components of the action plan:
– Upgrading infrastructure by hiring contracted maintenance staff to address pressing needs such as improving lighting, cameras, doors, and locks
– Strengthening partnerships between corrections staff and police services, including counterparts in the northwest, to share information about gangs and potential threats within the jail.
– Improving security by recruiting for a field intelligence officer to collect information and develop intelligence on potential threats
Increasing security for correctional staff by providing specialized equipment for the Institutional Crisis Intervention Team
– Building new training and crisis ready rooms and implementing new procedures such as having more staff present when doors are unlocked or medical assistance is provided
