It’s back to the drawing board for planning to replace HMP.

The province has re-issued a Request for Qualifications for the replacement of Her Majesty’s Penitentiary.

The announcement comes as the province re-evaluates the parameters of the project in light of construction costs that have ballooned by 200 to 300 per cent but the union representing correctional officers is skeptical.

Government says the aim is to procure a facility that is “fiscally responsible,” while maintaining new planned programming.

Infrastructure Minister John Abbott says the reissue will include reducing the size of the new facility.

He says they are changing the model of the facility from a campus model to a more “traditional” one that will allow for stacking floors. He says that will in tern reduce the square footage, reducing the need for things such as corridors, and as such contain costs.

In the meantime, the province says it will implement temporary measures until HMP is replaced. That includes the possibility of temporary outbuildings to increase space for accommodations, services and programming.

Government is promising that shovels will be in the ground in 2025.

NAPE President Jerry Earle says it’s an incredibly stressful environment for the people who work there.

He says the officers won’t believe it is happening until they see the gates open.