Youth corrections

Population growth in the youth system

Consistent with the experience in the adult
correctional system, youth corrections faced
overcrowding concerns in the 1990s. Following
implementation of the Young Offenders Act
(YOA) in 1984, youth counts initially rose
slowly, ending a period of dramatic decrease.

Implementation of the uniform maximum age
(17 years old) increased youth counts in adult
centres. The YOA also affected the population
in youth custody centres. In B.C., the count
rose from an annual average of 139 in 1980-81
to 314 in 1990-91.

Similar to the adult system, there was a lack of
resources to deal with the dramatic increase in
the youth population in custody. In May 1989,
the federal government announced that
cost-sharing for initiatives associated with
implementing the Young Offenders Act would be
frozen at fiscal year 1988-1989 expenditure
levels for the next five years. The Branch
considered cost reduction strategies and
options for the closure of youth facilities. In
1990, the youth containment centres in
Nanaimo and Prince George closed.

By 1993, overcrowding in youth custody
facilities was greater than in adult facilities and
double-bunking was routine. This prompted
attempts to address the growing youth
population.

Outdated facilities

Like adult correctional centres, several youth
custody facilities were outdated and needed
replacement. Ombudsman reports (1985, 1989,
1994) called for new facilities.

The Branch viewed replacement of Willingdon
Youth Detention Centre WYDC) as critical,
due to reports of peer abuse within the facility.
The design of WYDC made supervision of
residents difficult. In 1985, the ombudsman
recommended construction of a new custody
centre that would maximize staff-resident
interaction and enable staff to maintain
effective supervision.

The problems in youth custody
centres—including victimization of youth,
inadequate programs and services and
inadequately trained staff—were highlighted in
a government report.” Design of the facilities
was a major issue. Victoria Youth Custody
Centre, for example, was viewed as
institutionalized in appearance, cramped, with
no room for needed program expansion and
lacking “green outdoor space” for activities
outside.

The report asserted that new facilities should
reflect architecture that was less institutional,
and more residential in character. The design
would emphasize rehabilitation to youth rather
than punishment. The ombudsman also stated
that there should be a complete overhaul of
youth correctional services. To meet the

34 Branch Management Committee discussion paper, Corrections Branch, November 1993.

35 Dulcie McCallum, Buzlding Respect: A Review of Youth Custody Centres in British Columbia, Public Report No. 34,
Ombudsman of B.C., Legislative Assembly, Victoria, B.C., 1994.

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