N.L. breaks ground on long-awaited prison, but opposition says it's simply election fodder
Ground has broken on the site of the new prison for the St. John's area, set to replace the Victorian-era correctional facility that has been in decay for years.
The provincial government announced Monday an early works agreement has been signed with New Avalon Corrections Partners to begin preparation work at the site on East White Hills Road.
Preparation work includes things like cleaning the area, installing fencing around the installation area, erosion and sediment control and more.
"After decades of contemplating a new facility to replace Her Majesty's Penitentiary, this is a very important day to many as we officially begin the construction project," said Infrastructure Minister Elvis Loveless.
"The bottom line is that we need a new correctional facility. Today, we are delivering on that commitment."
Justice Minister John Haggie told reporters the 20,000 square-metres facility will house 300 beds and have a focus on treatment and rehabilitation. He added it will be designed to encourage staff and inmate interaction in a safe, secure and humane manner.
The facility will also include services for female inmates and a wellness space for staff members.
First announced in the spring of 2019, a replacement for Her Majesty's Penitentiary has long been on the provincial government's radar. The crumbling facility, which has sections dating back to the mid-1800s, has been plagued by a litany of issues in recent years, like rat infestations, extreme heat and staffing shortages.
The province had initially set aside $200 million for the new prisons construction. At the time, the maximum ceiling the province could afford was $325 million — but rising inflation changed plans.
The Government re-issued a request for qualifications in January 2024, writing in a news release Monday that the parameters of the project were reevaluated with the aim of "procuring a new facility that is fiscally responsible."
On Monday, Loveless said new estimates put the cost of construction at $697 million — including $150 million from the federal government. Construction is estimated to take around 50 months once the final agreement is expected to be completed in July, meaning the prison could be operational in 2029.
Haggie said a new prison has been a long time coming, in part because of the cost challenges.
"This process has been slower than we would have liked," Haggie told reporters. "It has always been a difficult priority politically. It is a hard sell for a lot of people. And quite frankly, that doesn't make it any the less important."
Speaking with reporters about an hour after the announcement, PC justice critic Helen Conway Ottenheimer was incredulous.
"We are very sceptical and doubtful about what's going to come out of this," she said. "It's laughable. It really is laughable. How can we take this seriously?"
Conway Ottenheimer said her scepticism comes from the prison first being promised in 2019 and slated for completion in 2024 or 2025.
She believes government not sticking to its word has hurt the province — while questioning the timing of the announcement.
"Here we are today, another photo-op. And, you know, one has only to ask the question and wonder if this is just about the fact that we are on the brink of a provincial election, and it is election bait. It's election fodder."
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