BC politicians on the downside of prisons

“Whatever promises they [BC Corrections] are making now, they will not live up to”

Ex Maple Ridge Mayor Gordy Robson commented on the failure of a “good neighbor agreement” signed between a local community association and Corrections BC.  He claimed that the population of the 2 prisons there continues to increase, the uses keep changing, and the community is not consulted.

Also, in contrast to Corrections BC who claim in their fact sheet that convicts don’t stick around when released, Mr. Robson tells us that released inmates there are just dropped off at the bus station and some decide to stay.  He warned our City Council that  “. . . whatever promises they are making now, they will not live up to.  The evidence here in Maple Ridge is that Corrections will not admit or honor the agreement they had, and that is very disturbing”. 

 

Surrey Mayor Diane Watts on downside of prison

Incumbent Surrey mayor Diane Watts said in an October 9, 2009 Globe and Mail article, that there are issues with hosting a prison, including the fact that not all of Surrey’s residents are happy about “the regular appearance of criminals wandering their streets“.

 

A bit of a cloud in the community…

Terry Yemen, Mayor of Drumheller is quoted as saying that the drug trade within the jail has spilled over into the town of Drumheller and that it  “. . . does bring a little bit of a cloud into the community“.