Staff development

To carry out effective treatment and training
for inmates, improvements were necessary.
With the expansion of programs and facilities, it
became apparent to administrators of the gaol
service that more centralized and co-ordinated
training was needed. Steps were taken in 1955
to establish a staff training school directly under
supervision of the inspector of gaols.
Information was utilized from programs that
were similar in Canada and the United States.

The first steps in this process were two
appointments:

» ELK. (Kim) Nelson, Assistant Professor of
Criminology at the University of British
Columbia, as ditectot of the school. Nelson
was responsible for the direction and
planning of the training program;

« Malcolm Matheson as staff training officer to
assist in this endeavour. He was given

responsibility for the day-to-day operation of
the program.

After extensive planning, the first basic training
course was offered to all custodial officers.
Officers participated in this week-long program
from Oakalla Prison Farm, New Haven,
forestry camps, Oakalla Women’s Gaol,
Kamloops Gaol, Nelson Gaol and Prince
George Gaol. An advanced training course was
given to senior administrative staff.

Changes to the staff training program were
made the following year. Nelson left to assist
the inspector of gaols with the planning of
Haney Correctional Institution. Matheson was
given the job of expanding training. Due to the
high turnover of new recruits, staff training
only commenced after working experience in
the gaol system was obtained. This policy did
not change until 1960,

Forestry camps expand

Development and expansion occurred in the
forestry camp program at the beginning of
1957. Even with the scheduled opening of
Haney Correctional Institution, which
accommodated 400 inmates, plans were
implemented to relieve persistent overcrowding
at Oakalla and gaols in the Interior. The warden
at Oakalla also helped to establish a camp in the
Chilltwack River valley.

Two camps were actually built—Tamihi Creek
and Mount Thurston. This project was carried
out in co-operation with personnel of the B.C.
Forest Service. Offenders who were more
mature and required less security were selected
for probation. More difficult offenders were
classified into forestry camps.

The concept of a secure camp" fostered the
evolution of forestry camps. One of these

10 This type of camp provided a more secure setting at night for inmates. Residents were separated in individual
rooms at night and higher risk inmates could be separated during the day to work in a compound under

supervision.

Era of Rebabilitation (1950-1969)

73