Correctional Services Canada will be back before Vernon council Monday, but this time the agency is making some demands. Corrections has been invited to present information to council about a proposed halfway house, but a letter to the city indicates the organization is looking for some action from local leaders. “I would also request that the mayor and council approve the public release of the successful bidder (Okanagan Halfway House Society) to ensure transparency and to allow for the next steps in the project to begin,” said Brian Lang, district director, in the June 15 letter. Corrections is also looking for the city’s approval to involve a community advisory board in re-establishing a halfway house in Vernon. “Finally, we would like to extend an invitation to members of the council to visit halfway houses in Kelowna in order to acquire additional information about their operation, relationship with the neighbourhood, police, city officials and other issues associated with security and policy,” writes Lang.
Coun. Jack Gilroy questions how the next steps in the process can continue when the city still doesn’t know what happened in the Bill Abramenko case. “They (Corrections) still have not come up with the reports on Abramenko,” he said. “People still want answers and they’re not giving them to us.” Vernon’s former halfway house closed after the murder of 75-year-old Abramenko in 2004. The individual charged with the death was missing from that facility at the time of the incident. The city has demanded internal reports before, but Corrections officials have stated some information cannot be released because it could compromise the upcoming trial. It’s also been suggested parts of the reports may be censored for privacy reasons. While wanting to ensure public safety, Gilroy says he’s trying to remain open-minded about a new halfway house. “The safeguards have to be in place but inmates are already walking around town. A halfway house provides some direction for them,” he said.
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Agency handles matter poorly
http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ EDITORIAL JULY 8
Corrections Canada is sending mixed messages about a proposed halfway
house in Vernon, and that is unacceptable. Federal officials have maintained that a parolee facility will not proceed if the City of Vernon does not give its blessing. And yet it appears like Corrections Canada is moving ahead no matter what. In a June 15 letter to council, district director Brian Lang states, “I would also request that the mayor and council approve the public release of the successful bidder to ensure transparency and to allow for the next steps in the project to begin.” Until the City of Vernon has decided if it will support a halfway house, there are no next steps. Corrections Canada’s process should be on hold until it gets a response from mayor and council.Lang’s letter goes on to state that he welcomes the invitation to appear before council Monday. “We are happy to accept and will ensure that a delegation from CSC is available to provide you with the information you requested and also to respond to questions which might arise from it,” he says. That all sounds good, but the last time the agency appeared before council, it withheld access to reports on the Bill Abramenko murder because of the pending trial. Obviously it’s cruial not to undermine the court case, but how can council responsibly make a decision on a halfway house, if it doesn’t know what happened in 2004? With parolees already living in Vernon, there is no question that a halfway house would provide them with some direction, as well as monitoring their activities. But until Corrections Canada provides full disclosure and ensures the city is truly in the driver’s seat, it’s likely any plans for a halfway house will hit a roadblock.
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