PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The safety of staff, offenders and the public at Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert Correctional Centre will get a boost with the expansion of 144 new beds.

According to a statement from the provincial government issued on Oct. 9, the new $24 million unit was outlined in the 2012/2013 budget and is expected to create more than 100 new jobs in Prince Albert. The new unit, which is designed to promote safety by incorporating a more modern design, uses the “open concept” model that allows for direct supervision and interaction between corrections workers and offenders. It has been built with four living pods and offers enough capacity to provide video court services for the entire correctional centre.

“The open concept creates a safer environment for corrections staff,” 27-year corrections employee Wes Elder said. “It worked very well when it was introduced to the province at Regina Provincial Correctional Centre, and I have no doubt it will work just as well here in Prince Albert.”

Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell said the provincial government was focused on reducing demand on the criminal justice system. “At the same time, we need to ensure we have adequate space to house the offender population that currently exists in the province. This expansion will help us do just that.”

This announcement follows major capital investments of 60 beds at the Pine Grove Correctional Centre in Prince Albert in 2013 and the 90-bed expansion to the Saskatoon Correctional Centre in 2009. These were the first additional beds added to the province’s correctional system since the late 1980s.