Double-bunking in other jurisdictions

In Match 2001, New Haven Correctional
Centre closed because of its focus on low-risk
offenders. Operational savings and staff
resources from this closure were transferred to
the new North Fraser Pretrial Centre (NFPQ),
which housed higher-risk offenders. Located in
Port Coquitlam, NFPC opened in April 2001
with a capacity of 300 beds in 10 living

units.

NFPC responded to increased remand
populations and relieved overcrowding at
Vancouver Pretrial Services Centre and Surrey
Pretrial Services Centre. It was primarily used
for longer-term remanded inmates and
detention of individuals pending immigration
review or extradition. The Lower Mainland
classification unit operated from this centre,

assessing and classifying all adult male offenders
sentenced by Lower Mainland courts to 30 days
or more. Inmates were then transferred to other
provincial centres.

According to Ben Stobbe, Provincial Director
of Adult Custody Division, this facility gave the
Branch immediate stability in terms of the
remand population. Removing the need to
frequently transfer inmates resulted in
significant savings to the Branch.

Planning of the centre led to a radically new
prison design that greatly reduced the capital
cost of construction and improved operational
efficiency. The centre also caught the attention
of the American Institute of Architects, which
honoured the North Fraser design with its
prestigious justice facilities award.

District Director, John Surridee, at NFPC°s opening ceremony (2001) Corrections Branch Archives

The Era of Directing Change (1997-2001)

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