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Talks continue about the Walkerton and Owen Sound jails being closed. 

Many people, including Owen Sound mayor Deb Haswell and Brockton mayor David Inglis, were blind-sided by the recent announcement.

The two mayors were in on a special meeting this week to talk about the proposed closures and the centralization of prisoners in Penetanguishene or Toronto. The prisoners would then be transported to the Owen Sound Courthouse for trial.

"We met with minister (Jim) Bradley, the assistant deputy minister, and chief of staff, as well as senior policy advisors," said Haswell. "(Huron-Bruce) MPP Carol Mitchell was in on the meeting as well. We had a good discussion. They seem to be continuing to gather information about the validity of closing the Owen Sound jail, and not replacing it with anything. I'd say it was a reasonably good meeting."

Mitchell said the mayors had a number of questions they wanted answered.

"They wanted to know specifically if there was an additional cost for the municipality," she said. "Then, the specifics of it with regard to the transport - would that be done by a contract with the OPP or would the cost be incurred through the jail budget?"

She said it was confirmed through the minister that there will be no additional cost to the municipality. It will be done through the jail budget and the actual transport system existing right now.

Mitchell said the other concern was whether the staff would have jobs once the jails close. "The answer was, yes, they will be absorbed within the system."

Haswell said she remains optimistic and hopes something can be done to keep the two jails open.

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Friday, April 08, 2011