Community advisory board coming to EMDC this fall

Members of the media tour the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London, Ont. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012. (Wayne Jennings / CTV London)

OTTAWA - The provincial government says it's expanding the use of community advisory boards at jails across Ontario.

Correctional Services already has boards of citizen monitors at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene and the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay.

Community advisory boards are to be phased-in over two years at all new and existing facilities with more than 425 beds.

The phase-in is to begin this fall at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London, the Toronto South Detention Centre, and the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.

Boards are to be established next year at the South West Detention Centre in Windsor, the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre, and the Maplehurst Correctional Complex/Vanier Centre for Women in Milton.

The boards consist of volunteers from the local community who advise the facility's superintendent and contribute to an annual report to the correctional services minister.