An advocate for inmates’ rights is protesting outside Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in light of a renewed call for Requests for Qualifications for the eventual replacement of the aging facility.

Government vows that shovels will be in the ground by next year, but many fear that going back to the drawing board will cause further delays in construction.

Michael Williams of Shea Heights is among them. He spent 21 years in a federal institution and wants to shed light on the conditions inside HMP.

He says he benefited from programs available in the British Columbia corrections system and flew back home to Newfoundland when he heard that plans to replace HMP might be delayed.

He and a small group of advocates were outside the corrections facility this morning.

He says when he heard the latest news, he decided to quit his job and fly down to Newfoundland “and I’m going to be here every day until I…hears from government.”

Rosemary Ricciardelli, a Professor and Research Chair in Safety, Security and Wellness at the Marine Institute of Memorial University, did some research at HMP and found that inmates were concerned about how the lack of space is affection correctional officers while the officers were concerned about the effects and lack of opportunity the shortcomings at the Pen were having on inmates.

Ricciardelli says going back to the drawing board provides government with the opportunity to build a facility with single-unit cells. She found more space is needed for people and activities at HMP.