Overcrowded Manitoba jails raise questions ahead of bail reform

As calls for bail reform grow, new data shows that the majority of Manitoba’s jails are currently overcrowded. Jeff Keele explains.

With violent crime and theft out of control, calls to keep repeat criminals behind bars are at a fever pitch. Federal government is promising legislation to reform bail and sentencing this fall, which can lead to longer term of staying behind bars for more offenders.

However, according to the province’s data, most jails in Manitoba are already overcrowded.

Out of seven adult and youth provincial correctional facilities, all six adult facilities are currently over their capacities. The Youth Centre is the only one under its capacity.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) represents the provincial correctional officers, and they are wondering where the influx of inmates would go.

“We know – with the reforms that are being requested by the population of Canada and Manitoba – that we have to find a place,” said Kyle Ross, president of MGEU.

Ross said the union is raising this concern with Manitoba’s justice minister Matt Wiebe, since double bunking inmates can lead to safety issues for both guards and inmates.

“In the short term, we need a plan because right now, we’re hearing loud and clear from our workers – it’s getting volatile in there,” Ross added.

The NDP government promised to build a new jail, after the Pallister government closed the Dauphin Correctional Centre.

“We do need to build capacity,” Manitoba’s justice minister Matt Wiebe said.

Wiebe stated that the province is looking at all options, including reorganization.

“There is capacity in the system, ensuring people are being moved around and being moved to those places that are safe,” Wiebe added.

Manitoba’s federal prison, Stoney Mountain Institution, is also over its capacity.

“A lot of our prisons are on a great amount of land,” said Jake Suelzle, prairies regional president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers.

“We could build new units and retrofit units. Sometimes it doesn’t need to be an entire new project.”