Sask NDP: Overrun prisons in Prince Albert putting everyone at risk

“If things are bad for prisoners, they’re bad for the guards too. And we need to remember that along with prisons serving the role as prisons, they are a workplace for people too,” he said.

John Howard societies across Canada have said overcrowding can lead to inhumane and unsafe conditions, and is counterproductive to rehabilitation.

The Government of Saskatchewan said it’s relieving pressure in provincial correctional centres by adding bed capacity, such as the $135 million Saskatoon Correctional Centre Expansion, which was completed in the fall of 2025 and added 312 beds for male offenders.

“We are also investing in targeted upgrades that improve safety and operations. That includes the $6.5M expansion of Pine Grove attending unit, and a $2.0M expansion of electronic monitoring, adding 100 units to safety supervise individuals in the community and reduce facility pressures,” a government spokesperson wrote in an email to paNOW.

From his position at the John Howard Society, Fraser said some of the solutions to overcrowding don’t involve politics.

“The good news is we know what it takes to lower incarceration rates, and we believe really that’s a focus on recidivism (the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.) I think recidivism is a non-partisan issue. There are many different takes on what the justice system should look like, but it’s something everyone can agree on…when people leave prison, they shouldn’t come back,” he said.

Fraser said a plan that includes five key steps to be taken when an inmate is released has been shown to be the most effective way to lower the odds of re-offending. That includes employment, education, housing, addiction/health support and positive social networks. None of the five factors has a bigger weight than the others, Fraser said.

“They’re all important to the recipe. I think people need all five of those things to make it work.”

McPhail said it’s difficult to tackle crime if there is nowhere to put offenders.

“The first place to take the hit when overcrowding occurs is rehabilitation programs, which are critical as we prepare people to re-enter society,” he said.

The NDP said it plans to ask the government to produce capacity reports for other correctional facilities in the province.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social

by Susan McNeil

Sask NDP: Overrun prisons in Prince Albert putting everyone at risk

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