New federal halfway house opens in Halifax area
A 25-year search for a new home for federal offenders in the Halifax area has come to an end with the official opening of the Jamieson Community Correctional Centre.
The new halfway house replaces two aging facilities that were too cramped and lacking facilities.
But the Jamieson Centre has one big disadvantage over the Carleton Centre and the Carleton Annex — two buildings located in central Halifax and near services including banks and grocery stores.
Unlike those facilities, the Jamieson Centre is on a cul-de-sac in Dartmouth's Burnside Industrial Park.
Not in my backyard
The assistant deputy commissioner of Correctional Service Canada said the location was a compromise, given that not everyone wants a halfway house in their neighbourhood.
"The community is still somewhat reluctant. There's still stigma attached to a halfway house and 'not in my backyard' kind of thing," said Brian Chase.
"But we'll make it work."
Chase said that reluctance was part of the reason the search for a replacement facility took so long. The mayor questioned why a facility was being considered "so far out of the metropolitan area," said Chase.
The new halfway house can accommodate up to 40 residents, roughly the same number as the existing facilities, which currently house 32 people. They'll begin transferring to the new centre next week, with the moves expected to be complete by the end of the month.
'We will work with them'
The residents will include offenders on parole, on statutory release and those under long-term supervision orders.
They will also include some who have been assessed as a high risk to reoffend by the Parole Board of Canada but have reached the end of their sentences.
"There's a small number of offenders who will never see the light of day but most are coming out and we will work with them and support them," said Chase.
Chase said the increased space in the Jamieson centre means parole officers and other support staff will be under the same roof, making it easier to provide supports to those transitioning to life on the outside.
Future of Carleton Centre, Annex
Each resident will have their own single room, with communal kitchen facilities where they can prepare meals.
Chase said corrections staff may have to use their vehicles to get residents groceries. He said they'll also have to deal with the fact public transit does not pass by the building.
While the location is somewhat remote, Chase said the hundreds of surrounding businesses in the industrial park should make it easier for residents to find employment.
Once the transfer of offenders is complete, the federal government will dispose of the Carleton Centre. While the building is old and decrepit, it sits on a prime piece of real estate just a block off Spring Garden Road. The annex building is owned by the Salvation Army.
