Video—Penitentiary expansions ease overcrowding in the short term, but a longer term accommodation plan is needed

Video Transcript

In this audit, we looked at how Correctional Service Canada planned and executed the expansion of its correctional facilities to accommodate offenders. The Agency is adding over 2,700 cells to 37 facilities. It expects that when it completes this work in 2015, overcrowding in federal prisons will largely be eased.

We found that the Correctional Service met its immediate needs, but it did not consider the impact of expansions on supporting infrastructure. It also did not consider how to address regional pressures and the long-term needs of the offender population.

Decisions about expansions were based on where land was available and where construction could be completed quickly. For example, we found that 8 of 20 institutions that were initially identified for closure were instead expanded.

The Agency has committed to developing a long-term accommodation plan to guide modernization by 2015.