Parliament Presses Officials Over Overcrowding at Tower Street Correctional Centre

Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre still held 1,559 inmates on Wednesday, nearly double its 850-person capacity, despite plans to move 200 prisoners by month-end. At Parliament’s Internal and External Affairs Committee, lawmakers pressed correctional officials on ageing facilities and living conditions, while the Corrections Department said repairs and bathroom upgrades are underway but security concerns limit inmates’ access.

The Department of Correctional Services says shared cells must hold either one inmate or three, not two, as a safety measure meant to reduce violence and other incidents inside prisons. Commissioner Radgh Mason told Parliament the policy came up during questioning on overcrowding at Tower Street, which holds 1,569 inmates despite a capacity of 850. Mason said more than 200 inmates will be moved by month-end and the department is upgrading cells, mattresses and bathrooms.