—_*

/ to r: Staff member from Abu Dhabi Women’s

Photo: Courtesy of Paul Pershick

understanding to improve the information flow.

Changes were made to visiting areas. New
policy restricted visitors in secure custody
centres to no physical contact.

In response to this report, a second drug dog
was placed on Vancouver Island in early 1997.
A third drug-detecting dog and handler became
available in June 1999 to work in Lower
Mainland correctional centres.

Jon scanners, which detected and identified
trace amounts of illegal drugs, were introduced
in some centres. Eleven correctional centres
had ton scanners to combat illegal drug traffic
in cottectional centres in 2000.

In addition to Bob Stewart's review of drug
interdiction, the Attorney General released a
report by the Investigation, Inspection and
Standards Office on the Fraser Regional
Correctional Centre. As part of its response to

Prison, B.C. Corrections District
Director Beverly Roest, Captain Seleema, Dubai Women’s Prison (2000)

issues and recommendations
outlined in these reports, the
Corrections Branch instituted
a Respectful Workplace
program at Praser Regional
Correctional Centre (FRCC).
The purpose of this program
was to resolve long-term
conflicts at FRCC through
mediated services, and

introduce measures to ensure
a healthy workplace.

Complementary measures
were undertaken by the
ministry to enhance

J

supportive and healthy
working environments. It
established a senior
management Supportive
Workplace Action Team. As a
result, Corrections Branch management decided
to link its existing workplace harassment
advisors program to this broader ministry
initiative.

Placement and management of illegal
migrants

In 1999, the sudden arrival and subsequent
detainment of more than 100 illegal Chinese
migrants presented a significant challenge for
the Corrections Branch at a time when it was
already burdened by overcrowding. Adult
custody management came together quickly to
develop a solution.

Migrants were housed at Vancouver Island
Regional Correctional Centre, Burnaby
Correctional Centre for Women, Surrey
Pretrial, Vancouver Pretrial, and Alouette River
Correctional Centre. In addition, a facility at

246

Corrections in British Columbia