News Releases

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Abbotsford, BC, April 29, 2004 - The official opening of Fraser Valley Institution took place today. This institution is the sixth correctional facility for federal women offenders in Canada and the first of its kind in British Columbia.

"Fraser Valley Institution will provide a living environment that encourages women to take responsibility for their day-to-day lives and practice skills that will help them make meaningful, productive life choices upon release into the community," said Lucie McClung, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada. "The opening of this facility attests to our commitment to safe, humane and effective corrections for women in Canada."

Correctional facilities for federal women offenders across Canada are designed in a way to reflect and address women's particular needs. A wide variety of programs and services are offered to deal with the problems that brought women into conflict with the law. A number of citizen participation committees such as the Citizens' Advisory Committee, the Programs Advisory Council and the Aboriginal Advisory Council have been established to assist management and staff in a wide range of activities.

"A supportive community is critical to the successful reintegration of offenders," added Nancy Stableforth, Deputy Commissioner for Women. "Fraser Valley Institution will continue to create and strengthen partnerships that contribute to making our communities safer."

Federal women offenders have been housed at the Province's Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women since 1990. In January 2002, the BC Government announced its plan to close the facility by March 31, 2004. As a result, CSC converted the Sumas Community Correctional Centre in Abbotsford into a multi-level security facility for federal women offenders in the Pacific Region. Fraser Valley Institution can accommodate up to 50 women offenders.

For additional information, contact:

Dennis Finlay
Regional Communications Manager
Correctional Service of Canada
(604) 870-2680

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Fact Sheet: FRASER VALLEY INSTITUTION

Location: Fraser Valley Institution is located in Abbotsford at 33344 King Road and is part of the Matsqui Complex. Multiple Security Level: Initially, Fraser Valley Institution will house minimum and medium-security women offenders. Following the completion of Phase II, the institution will house offenders classified at all levels of security. Minimum & Medium Capacity: 50 offenders.		Cost: Capital cost is $17 million. Timeframe: Phase I was completed on February 29, 2004. Phase II is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2005. Current Population: By end of March 2004, it is anticipated that approximately 40 offenders will be at Fraser Valley Institution.

Background:

Fraser Valley Institution is a correctional facility for women under the jurisdiction of the Correctional Service of Canada. Federal offenders are those sentenced by the courts to terms of two years or more. There are seven houses, each with six individual bedrooms. These accommodate both minimum and medium-security women. In addition, there is the Structured Living Environment house comprised of eight beds, which accommodates women with significant cognitive limitations or mental health concerns. These are all available now as part of the Phase I development.

Phase II, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2005, will include permanent support facilities as well as a Secure Unit. That specialized unit will house up to ten maximum-security women who require greater structure, supervision and control. This will bring the institutional capacity to its planned 60.

Programs:

Fraser Valley Institution provides several types of programs including substance abuse and survivors of abuse and trauma programs. Psychiatric, psychological, Aboriginal and spiritual services are also available. The Structured Living Environment house provides Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programming and psychosocial rehabilitation programs, which more specifically address cognitive and mental health challenges.

Physical health services are offered in the institutional Health Care Centre to meet the medical needs of the women.

A private family visiting house is available where women can schedule visits with their families.

One house has been adapted for the purpose of the Mother-Child Program. The goal of the Mother-Child Program is to provide mechanisms that foster and promote stability and continuity for the child in its relationship with its mother. The best interest of the child is the primary consideration in decisions relating to participation in the Mother-Child Program.

Offenders will have employment and educational opportunities with emphasis on skills that will be transferable and assist in eventual community reintegration.

Community Involvement:

Fraser Valley Institution looks forward to the support and active involvement of volunteers from the local community. Both individuals and community groups have expressed interest and many volunteers have already received training. CSC has an active Citizens' Advisory Committee as well as a Programs Advisory Council and an Aboriginal Advisory Council in Abbotsford. Each of these groups brings individuals and representatives from community organizations and other government agencies together to provide advice, feedback and opportunities to engage new parties to assist in successful reintegration.

Security:

Fraser Valley Institution employs both dynamic and static security measures to ensure public safety, safety of staff, visitors and inmates. Dynamic security refers to any activity that promotes or contributes to a safe and secure correctional environment by encouraging constructive relationships between offenders and staff. Static security measures are incorporated at Fraser Valley Institution to complement dynamic security. They include: an 8-foot perimeter fence topped with rolled razor-ribbon wire; a perimeter fence detection system; perimeter lights for night-time camera observation; and various alarm systems on offender houses and other buildings.