There are no plans at this point to release non-violent inmates from Saskatchewan’s correctional centres, the Regional Psychiatric Centre, provincial youth custodial centres or the Prince Albert Penitentiary.
CUPE 1949, which represents Legal Aid employees, is urging the province and the federal government to do so because of concerns of overcrowding and the health risk if there were a COVID-19 outbreak in one of the facilities.
Justice Minister Don Morgan says none of them are overcrowded or at capacity right now.
The Ministry of Corrections and Policing could move people within the facilities or relocate them elsewhere, whether they are inmates or on remand.
Morgan says the priority is the safety of staff, the inmates and the public, and they are watching the situation closely.