The new director of the Red Deer Remand Centre is looking forward to next spring.
That’s when the brand new 1,900-bed Edmonton Remand Centre is expected to open and take some of the pressure off Red Deer’s jail located downtown.
Director Wayne Johnson, 53, estimates that at least half of the 146 inmate beds at the local centre are taken up by prisoners who are not from Central Alberta. Many come from Edmonton and Calgary.
Not only does this cause the Red Deer Remand Centre to run at capacity, with many inmates double-bunking in some cells, it also means that there’s often no room for Red Deer-area prisoners in the local jail.
These inmates then have to be incarcerated outside of our area.
Johnson believes it’s better when prisoners can remain close to family, friends and other support systems. “Maintaining that connection to the outside is important . . . It helps their transition, after their release, to keep seeing their loved ones and kids,” he said.
The 25-year-old Red Deer Remand Centre has a rapid turnover rate of mostly male inmates (there are only four beds available for females).
While the maximum-security jail on 49th Street houses everyone from impaired drivers to suspected murderers, most of them are awaiting trial dates and are still presumed innocent, said Johnson.
He believes the majority of inmates spend no more than six months to a year at the centre until their trials can be held. If convicted, they are sent to penitentiaries, such as Bowden or Drumheller.
Some convicts also serve short sentences at the remand centre for minor crimes. Sometimes weekend prison time is given as a way to work off fines, or inmates are put to work in the kitchen or laundry, or given janitorial tasks, said Johnson.
Johnson has worked in the corrections system for 33 years. His previous job was as deputy director of administration for the Calgary Remand Centre, which is about three times as big as Red Deer’s centre.
Johnson has also worked in Lethbridge since first starting as a corrections officer.
He believes the biggest thing that’s changed over the past three decades is the kinds of offenders who are charged.
Johnson said there are more gang issues now, more drug-related, violent crimes, which require more specialized staff training in handling offenders.
Perhaps surprisingly, there are fewer disruptive incidents at the local centre than people might think, he said, since corrections officers get very good at assessing situations and taking preventative measures to keep them from getting out of hand.
While inmates usually get to leave their cells to watch TV, read, or play board games in a common area, those who are disruptive are locked up in their rooms. “There are some unique challenges.”
During Corrections Week next week, community members will have a chance to learn more about how the remand centre operates with 69 corrections, administrative and support staff.
For instance, prisoners are offered some very basic programs at the centre, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, aboriginal and religious services. Some counselling and medical services are also available, he added.
Since Alberta is no longer as culturally homogeneous as it once was, corrections officials have to broaden the kinds of things that are offered.
“For example, last week was Ramadan . . . If we had some Muslim prisoners, we would have had to provide some opportunities for them to observe that,” said Johnson, who relies on the assistance of local religious institutions and cultural groups.
As part of Corrections Week, job recruitment fairs will be held at some high schools.
Students will learn that the basic training for a corrections officer is nine weeks, but the on-the-job training continues beyond that, with other sessions offered as needed.
Alberta Justice Minister and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis will attend an opening ceremony at the Red Deer Remand Centre at 1 p.m. on Monday. And open houses will also be held at the centre on Tuesday and Thursday to show the community the building.
“A lot of people don’t realize we have this facility . . . They say, ‘Red Deer has a jail?’” said Johnson.
A RCMP tactical team and police drug dog will be at the open houses which run from 4 to 8 p.m. both days.
Visitors from the community can learn about the role of the centre, and tour part of the facility, which includes dorm-like cells with windows and locking doors (there are no bars).
“We are part of the community,” said Johnson, who believes the remand centre plays a role in the eventual rehabilitation of criminals.
The basic programs offered at the centre can be continued longer term in jails such as Bowden, where prisoners can also expand their education, break drug or alcohol addictions and learn anger management and other life skills, he added.
“At least you’re providing people with the resources and tools to help them adapt, such as jobs skills and personal skills,” said Johnson, a father of grown kids.
The new director said he looks forward to getting to know his staff better — and to taking advantage of Central Alberta’s campgrounds and lakes.
“This is a nice change. It’ll be more intimate than bigger centres.”
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com