NEW GLASGOW – There is a saying that good fences make good neighbours.
That's not the case with the new provincial jail, said Sean Kelly, Director of Correctional Services for Nova Scotia. He said it will be a good neighbour – minus the readily visible fences.
"It's an issue we recognize," Kelly said regarding the reservations some have about a jail in their area. "We also recognize that we make good neighbours.… We are hoping to take advantage of working with the community."
He points to Lower Sackville as an example. He said in 1969 when the jail was built, there weren't a lot of homes or businesses in the area.
"The community grew up around us."
Kelly said the new jail will not be a forbidding structure looming over the landscape.
"It will be very pleasing to the eye, it will look like a small institution, even a school from the outside. Typically you don't see high fences with razor wire. It is more secure than the older ones and you don't have to rely on older methods."
Kelly said the airing courts for the inmates will be within the facility itself.
"The older ones connected to the exterior of the building."
Kelly said this new facility is sorely needed.
"There is certainly a big need for that. We are overcrowded in our correction facilities, especially Burnside."
The new jail will replace the ones in Amherst and Antigonish. Three potential locations have been selected: near Thorburn, Addington Forks, Antigonish County, or Debert, Colchester County.
Kelly said the older jails were built before the time of time of architectural correction design. The new jail design will allow for "easier supervision of offenders."
The workers will directly be affected by this new jail which could be a significant distance from where they work now.
"I think there's a lot of concerns for those that have established roots in the local communities. For some it's a chance to move closer to home."
On the flip side, Kelly said the new jail will present new avenues for employees who do decide to relocate.
"There may be promotional opportunities and career advancement."
Jobs will be created at the new facility and that will create opportunities for the public, said Kelly.
"We will be looking for cooking staff, administration staff, case management staff, those interested in the delivery of programs, case managers.… There should be opportunities for people."
He said that many more programs will be offered to inmates at the new jail, including courses such as anger management, substance abuse management and educational opportunities.
Kelly said the jail could also look at ways to participate in projects in the community. He once again pointed to Lower Sackville where inmates worked on a project to help remove garbage from the Sackville River.
"Those are the types of things we may look at based on being a good partner and compatible with the community."
Carrying that thought further, Kelly said that the jail would not interfere with work in the community.
"We don't take work away from people."
What the jail would do though, is become another market for the community.
"We purchase a lot locally."
He is confident that wherever the new jail is built it will become part of the area.
"It's a good opportunity for staff and the community will be pleased once we get there to see what we do."
