The President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Crown Attorneys Association is welcoming news that government plans to hire 18 new crown attorneys over the next three years.

The news is part of a larger $24-million announcement from government, which also includes money for more corrections officers and deputy sheriffs.

According to Justice Minister Bernard Davis, six new crown prosecutors will be hired every year over the next three years.

Shawn Patten says he is happy that government responded to their outcry for more resources.

He acknowledges that they were calling for 25 to 30 new prosecutors, but it is a “step in the right direction.”

He says the new positions will help reduce file loads. He says the positions are tough to fill, and in other jurisdictions where over 25 new positions have been announced they had trouble filling them. He wants government to hone in on attracting people to the job.