The Nanaimo Correctional Centre will by replaced with a new, $160 million facility. It will house the same number of inmates. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

New jail

Nanaimo Correctional Centre to receive $160M overhaul

Jun 10, 2019 | 6:59 AM

NANAIMO — Inmates at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre beside Brannen Lake will have new accommodations.

The Ministry of Public Safety announced $157 million on Monday to replace the NCC, which was originally built in 1953. The Ministry stated the new jail will be built on provincially owned property next to the current NCC site.

Nanaimo New Democrat MLA Sheila Malcolmson said she wasn’t made immediately clear how much land the new jail would encompass.

“Now that we have funding in place, then the finalizing of the design can be able to proceed,” Malcolmson said. “There’s still some details to work out.”

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Malcolmson said construction would support 1,000 jobs, while the facility would be built to high energy-efficient standards.

Malcolmson said operations at the current NCC would not be impacted by the construction of the new jail.

The medium-risk facility can house up to 190 inmates.

“We envision a new centre that will better support staff and enhance NCC’s unique, effective programs,” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said in a release.

The province announced modernized space for educational, vocational, certified trades and rehabilitative programs will be included in the new NCC.

The facility will include the renowned Guthrie Therapeutic Community, an intensive program that works with inmates with substance abuse issues.

The new NCC is anticipated to have 12 additional rooms for women in short-term custody, as well as space for educational programs run by Vancouver Island University.

Site clearing is expected to begin this summer and open by 2023. The province issued a request for proposals to suitable firms to design and build the facility on provincial land next to the current NNC property.

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