Halfway house decision expected by the fall (KINGSTON)

Jordan Press Local news - Wednesday, June 20, 2007 The Whig

The list of five sites that could be the next home of the Portsmouth Community Correctional Centre could be down to one over the next month, city council heard last night. However, it could be months before residents near the Portsmouth Community Correctional Centre find out when and where it will go. "I'm not going to suggest to you that this is going to be a quick process," said Nancy Stableforth, regional deputy commissioner for Correctional Service Canada. Stableforth said by the fall, the city and corrections should have a good idea about where a new facility could go. "When we talk short list, we could be talking as few as one," she said outside the meeting

She said the federal government was ready to either build a new or renovate an existing building to move up to 30 offenders from the Portsmouth centre houses, some of whom are deemed high risk. Residents will have a chance to give input about a possible site before a final decision is made, Stableforth said. For months, the city and the federal government have worked to move the halfway house on Portsmouth Avenue. Residents in the area have asked for the facility to be moved because of its location close to a school and park where children congregate. Some of those sent to the centre are under condition not to be near children. Chief administrative officer Glen Laubenstein said all involved were disappointed that a suitable site hasn't been found yet. "However, we do believe it's close," he said. Kingston police are also interested in where the centre relocates. Insp. Brian Cookman was at last night's meeting and said he was relieved to hear that the new site wouldn't have more beds. "That in itself is a positive," he said outside the meeting. "Those are difficult offenders to manage."

Many councillors suggested sites where the centre could move. Among them were possibly near the new police headquarters on Division Street and Isabel McNeil House, a halfway house for women. Correctional Service Canada has plans to close Isabel McNeil House and move those living there to another facility. However, a court challenge from the women living at the centre to keep it open is being heard in the fall. That precludes looking at it as a site, Stableforth said. Cookman said putting the facility next to the new headquarters wasn't a good idea either. Victims of crime frequent the building and police don't want them exposed to high risk offenders across the street. Stableforth said she will update council on how things are progressing.