Auditor’s follow-up report says BC Corrections still has work to do on jails

VICTORIA – The provincial auditor general is giving BC Corrections mixed reviews in a progress audit stemming from a 2015 report that questioned inmate safety and found facilities were over capacity.

Carole Bellringer’s most recent audit found that British Columbia’s correctional agency implemented three of eight recommendations and is working on two more, but has yet to take action on the final three.

Bellringer’s report says a new program has been developed for female inmates and body scanners are being used to address contraband coming into the jails.

New living units have also been established for those inmates with substance use issues.

But the report says Corrections is still working on implementing a performance management framework that would outline goals to achieve safe and secure custody, and reduce criminal behaviour.

The report says no work has been done on a recommendation to assess the impact of housing sentenced and non-sentenced inmates together, although Corrections says it will be doing a study.

The original report examined the system over concerns of overcrowding and to determine whether BC Corrections was providing programs to reduce recidivism.