An inmate at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary is suggesting that Horizons 106 could be used to help address overcrowding at the Pen until a new facility is up and running in three years’ time.
The transitional housing facility is closing next month.
Jesse Lewis was responding to comments from Justice Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer, who addressed concerns about a lack of toothbrushes and conditions in the Pen.
Many inmates held at HMP are on remand and cots have been set up in the gym to accommodate the overflow.
Jesse Lewis in court, 2019 (VOCM News archive)
Lewis told VOCM Open Line with Brian Callahan that Horizons 106 could play a role in addressing overcrowding.
He doesn’t believe that armed guards and using RCMP lock-ups are necessary when Horizons 106 is there.
“There are lots of people who are on the verge of release, or TAs (temporary absences) and whatnot…there’s lots of people that could be put there and reintegrated back into society to take the pressure off the jail.”
