January 14, 2016
Province Takes Next Step Toward Building New Dauphin Correctional and Healing Centre, Expanded Courthouse
The province is moving forward on building a new correctional and healing centre and expanded courthouse in Dauphin by launching the formal hiring process for design and construction teams, Attorney General Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“These modernized facilities will provide a safer environment for staff, enhanced accessibility and additional space for programs and services,” Minister Mackintosh said. “The new correctional facility will emphasize healing and culturally appropriate programming to provide rehabilitation and reintegration services as part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce incarceration rates and to address recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
In 2012, a review committee report recommended the replacement of the current facility, which is close to 100 years old. The new facility will be on land already donated to the province by the City of Dauphin and the Rural Municipality of Dauphin.
“We are pleased that this project continues to move forward. The City of Dauphin is working to ensure our water and wastewater systems can accommodate the facility,” said Mayor Eric Irwin, City of Dauphin. “We are committed to working with the Manitoba government to solve any logistical challenges thatmay arise in bringing the project to fruition. We welcome the province’s historic investment in our community and look forward to working with them on this and other initiatives.”
The current Dauphin Correctional Centre was built in 1917 as part of the courthouse complex, and houses sentenced and remanded adult males and a small number of remanded adult females and youth.
The new facility will be approximately 143,000-sq.-ft. and house a population of up to 180 offenders including space for women and juveniles. The facility will be designed to accommodate a wide range of custody levels, from minimum to maximum, and will include space for mental health services and trades training.
“The new rehabilitation facility is a much-needed upgrade to our area and one which will provide an opportunity for skills, training, as well as counselling in community involvement,” said Dennis Forbes, reeve, Rural Municipality of Dauphin. “The council and staff are looking forward to assisting with the project.”
The province is seeking a design team for the new correctional facility including an architect and construction manager to design and build the facility. In addition, the minister noted a request for proposal is being released to add an addition to the Dauphin courthouse and complete renovations to the existing building.
“Adding capacity through this replacement facility is welcome news to continue to address overcrowding, which affects correctional officers,” said Michelle Gawronsky, president, Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union. “The health and safety of our officers is of paramount importance and that aspect of their work lives will also be improved when the replacement jail is operational.”
The courthouse will be renovated and include an addition to the existing building. The changes will address public accessibility and fully modernize the building including the addition of code-related entrance and exits.
“The courthouse is listed as a potential site of historic significance,” said Minister Mackintosh. “The Manitoba government will consult with historic resource experts to ensure the additions and renovations will preserve the significant historic character of the building.”
The Dauphin courthouse is one of 15 provincial court locations that provide services for adult, youth and family court, small claims court as well as Court of Queen’s Bench services including civil, criminal and family court matters. It deals daily with matters arising in the Dauphin area.
For more information on court services in Manitoba, visit www.manitobacourts.mb.ca/.
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