the Commission’s report. E.G.B, Stevens was
the Provincial Probation Officer for British
Columbia, Eric Pepler was the Deputy Attorney
General and C.W. Topping was a Professor of
Sociology at the University of British Columbia.

These individuals continued their work on
correctional policy, as an advisory group, after
the report was published.

Changes in organizational structure

Changes began to emerge in the year following
the B.C. Gaol Commission‘s report. A major
change in the administrative structure of the
gaol system occurred in March 1951 when the
RCMP took over policing under contract with
the province of B.C. Because the RCMP did
not want administrative responsibility for gaols,
a separate administrative structure for the gaol
system was created. This change was consistent
with the B.C. Gaol Commission’s
recommendation.

Provincial Probation Officer Ernie Stevens was
appointed administrative head of correctional
institutions (inspector of gaols) for the province
of British Columbia. By placing Stevens in a
dual role, gaol and probation services were
effectively united.

Changes also took place in the B.C, Probation
Service. Probation services were extended to
the courts of appeal, justices of the peace, and
juvenile courts after an amendment was made
to the 1946 Probation Act. Probation also
expanded with the appointment of additional
personnel and offices. Three assistant probation
officers were appointed and two offices opened
in Penticton and Nelson.

C.D, Doug) Davidson, formerly an assistant
probation officer in the Victoria office, was

appointed chief assistant provincial probation
officer. This created a new administrative
position in the Probation Branch, because the
provincial probation officer had the added
responsibility of inspector of gaols. Following
his appointment, Davidson moved to
Vancouver to assist in the administration and
operation of the B.C. Probation Service. By this
time, the total probation staff was two
administrators and eight field officers.

Another significant development in the
administration of the gaol service happened in
November 1951. An agreement was made
between the provincial Probation Branch and
Municipality of Burnaby to supply services to
the Burnaby Juvenile Court for a fixed monthly
charge. This agreement set a trend that resulted
in the provincial Probation Branch assuming
responsibility for services to all courts in the
province.

In the Burnaby Court, the agreement to supply
services continued until implementation of the
Family and Children’s Courts Act (1963). This act
gave the provincial government jurisdiction for
providing probation services. The provincial
Probation Branch assumed responsibility for all
courts in the province in 1974.

60

Corrections in British Columbia