These federal initiatives contributed to the
context of changes that occurred in British
Columbia corrections. Meanwhile, there was
momentum for a new direction at the
provincial level.

The movement toward a treatment approach in
British Columbia was evident in the Report of
the B.C. Gaol Commission (1950). The

commission was appointed by the attorney
general to inquire into the state and
management of the gaols of British Columbia.
It produced recommendations based on a
treatment philosophy, and laid the foundation
for changes in the provincial correctional
system.

The British Columbia Gaol Commission

The B.C. Gaol Commission, chaired by Eric
Pepler, was a landmark in the history of British
Columbia corrections. Like Saskatchewan‘s
1946 Penal Commission, it was the first major
investigation into the administration and
operation of gaols in the province. The
commission provided a plan for the
development of corrections in B.C. The process

of implementing its recommendations spanned
almost two decades.

Oakalla security: Watch tower (date: unknown)
Corrections Branch Archives

Concern about overcrowded conditions and the
deteriorating state of gaols in the province
prompted the appointment of the B.C. Gaol
Commission. In particular, something needed
to be done about overcrowding at Oakalla
Prison Farm. The population at Oakalla on
March 31, 1950, was more than 350

ptisonets.

The commission’s investigation looked into all
provincial gaols as well as probation and
parole services. According to its findings,
no major improvements had occurred in
the gaol system for 38 years. It noted one
exception—the establishment of New
Haven as a Borstal-type institution.

The commission’s recommendations
were superfluous, based on observation
and assessment of how the treatment
philosophy fared in other jurisdictions:
England, Ontario, Saskatchewan,
California and other states in the United
States. Its recommendations were
directed at alleviating overcrowding at
Oakalla, Its proposals for change
emphasized a rehabilitation model,
focusing on the training and re-education
of offenders.

58

Corrections in British Columbia