Jackson Lafferty

We do provide, as I stated earlier in the House, the programs that are available to the inmates. The dollar figure depends on the institution that we have across the Northwest Territories. The most important thing is to have rehabilitation programming and to reintegrate the individuals back into the community. I think the important part is the Aftercare Program. We can do what we can within the system, within the institution, but once they leave, there’s another venue they need to access and that’s the Aftercare Program. As I stated, I work closely with the Minister of Health and Social...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am trying to find accurate information. I don’t have it at my fingertips right now but I will get back to the Member on that, the actual number that we have to date.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we have. Within our programming there’s been a review undertaken to have an overall look at the whole programming that we offer at corrections. There have been some changes reflected on that, Mr. Speaker. We’ve heard from inmates, from the people in the public to say these are particular programs that should be offered, whether it be the on-the-land program, that we’ve heard over and over. Definitely, this is an area that we continue to monitor, Mr. Speaker. If there are going to be changes required, then we’ll make those changes. But again, it is federal legislation...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Once inmates are in the institution there are various programs that are offered to them, whether it be treatment healing programs, substance abuse, sexual offender relapse, family violence, men who abuse program. There are all these different programs. There is also specific to healing. Those are the areas that the rehabilitation of those inmates that our staff is focused on. But there are certain circumstances where individuals who if they are very high risk then take different programs as well.

Mr. Speaker, we can’t control those individuals that are outside the...

I will work with the DEA on having those Wrigley students attend Simpson with regard to the residence. Also the independent evaluation would have to come from the DEA if they wish to do that.

We as a department will work closely with them. Maybe this is a concern that we can bring forward to the DEA. The Member raised that issue. It’s a concern to the Member and to the community. We’ll follow through with that.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Obviously there’s a reason why these students are not in a residence and we need to get that confirmation from the DEA or DEC, probably the DEA. I will be following up on this particular matter with the DEA. There are various options. The students and the parents in the community can work with the DEA, if they can meet with the local DEA and erase those concerns. We will do our part as well.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territories Law Foundation 28th Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010.

That would be one of the plans we’ll be working on to expedite the process. There are a number of students who are taking this particular program and we definitely want them to come back to the Northwest Territories to do their practicum. That will be our goal.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 5 on the orders of the day, please.

---Unanimous consent granted

I can’t really give an exact time right now. The discussion just started with the college. That is my understanding. There are talks about the modification of the program for future usage, such as those teachers in training having their practicum in the Northwest Territories. Those are areas we need to work on and we’ll be working closely with the DEAs in the regions, the college and my Department of Education, Culture and Employment.