Calgary Young Offender Centre changes to spur layoffs, says union
The government says the Calgary Young Offender Centre in the city's northwest is under used and some employees could lose their jobs.
The centre will no longer offer rehab services or house young offenders awaiting trial or serving sentences. They will instead be moved to Edmonton.
"The number of young offenders has declined over the past several years and it did not make sense to continue to operate two young offender centres that were almost half empty," said Justice Minister Jonathan Denis in a release.
However, the Calgary facility will still be used for arrest processing and running re-integration programs.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says 23 part-time staff will lose their jobs and 67 others could be reassigned or laid off.
"What's going to happen is they are going to end up being in Edmonton, so they are going to 300 kilometres away from their family if they live in Calgary," said AUPE vice-president Erez Raz.
Bad idea, says expert
Michelle Christopher, who teaches criminal law at the University of Calgary, says a decision to house Calgary's young offenders in Edmonton shows a complete lack of understanding of their needs.
"These are 12-year-old to 17-year-old people and they need the support of their families and the proximity to their families in order to be able to succeed in their rehabilitation," she said. "And often times we see that they are at risk of re-offending without the appropriate community supports."
The government also announced the Calgary office of the Maintenance Enforcement Program is closing. It was responsible for enforcing court-ordered child, spousal or partner support.
Clients will be served by the Edmonton office either online or by phone.
"Our government has a responsibility to the Alberta taxpayer to ensure operations are efficient and resources are being used wisely," said Denis.
"Every effort will be made to find new positions for affected staff."
