Halfway decision delayed

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff May 13 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Vernonites will have to wait for two weeks before finding out about a new halfway house for parolees. Corrections Canada was expected to announce the successful contract to operate a 14-bed halfway facility Monday. But that has now been delayed to the May 28th city council meeting. “We want to make sure that whoever the successful bidder is, they are right for Vernon and everyone in Ottawa is aware of what is going on,” said Lisa Bayne, a community engagement co-ordinator with the federal agency. Pursuing the contract to run a facility are Vernon’s Salvation Army and Kelowna-based Okanagan Halfway House Society. “I believe a decision has been made but we want to make sure everyone internally knows what’s going on,” said Bayne.

A halfway house was closed after the murder of 75-year-old Bill Abramenko in 2004. Eric Fish, who has been charged with the death, was missing from the facility at the time of the incident.
It’s anticipated that a new facility could be open in a year and a location has not been announced yet. Corrections Canada has stated in the past that the successful applicant will work with the agency, the city and the RCMP. There will be restrictions on what kind of parolees can’t stay at the facility such as dangerous sex offenders. That step is welcomed by Mayor Wayne Lippert.
“We will have some control on who is here,” he said, adding the goal is to help reintegrate local residents into society. “I am confident we won’t have high-risk offenders here.” But while he supports a halfway house being in Vernon, Lippert says the city is still seeking some information from Corrections Canada. “They will be addressing concerns council had about the investigation into the Abramenko murder. We want to make sure residents know what is going on,” he said.