Clinton News-Record, 1984-10-17, Page 3QW$;
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Young offenders' centre public meetin
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"This would be the exception, rather than
the rule," said Crew.
Osborne indicated concern about possi-
blea<t proliferation of half -way houses''crop-
ping up in the area as a result of theconver-
sion sign of Bluewater to a yoiing offenders
facility.
Although such "open custody" facilities
are an integral part of the correctional
system, "One of .the main reasons for that
type of program is to have the young of-
fender close to his home, school and com-
munity," said DeGrandis. Therefore there
would not be a disproportionate number of
"community resource centres" in this area,
he explained.
In case of an escape by a resident or
residents of the institution, particularly one
occurring late at night, Osborne wanted to
know if there would be some type of alarm
system, to warn nearby residents of the -
situation.
"I urge you to trynot to get your images of
penal institutions from television. There
won't be guard towers, with guns and
spotlights around the centre," replied Crew.
In an escape situation local authorities
would be notified and they would work in
conjunction with staff from the centre, in at-
tempting to locate the escapee, said
DeGrandis, adding that no alarms would go
off.
Another questioner wanted to know when
training programs, for former employees of
the centre for the developmentally han-
dicapped, who are being retrained for work
when the centre reopens as a young of-
fenders institution, will begin.
About 80-90 former employees are being
considered for jobs in the centre's new
capacity. They will make up the major por-
tion of the centre's estimated total employ-
ment figure of 150 workers.
"In most case, we hope to start training
well before the end of this calender year,"
said Crew.
Although private business in the area
should begin to profit shortly, as soon as
construction and renovation proceedures
get underway at the centre, Gitts estimated
the full benifit to the community won't be
felt until the spring of 1986, when the centre
reopens.
INTERM PLAN
There is however, an interm plan, not yet
finalized, which could see the centre housing
selected offenders, in a minimum security
setting, possibly as early as the April, 1985.
"That is one of the reasons the perimiter
fence is being constructed right away," said
DeGrandis. The security fence, which will
surround the property, will be a chain-link
construction. The links will be small enough
to prevent a good grip for anyone attemp-
ting to climb over, said, Gitt. Gitt said the
fence will be about a half -mile back from the
road. which will make it an unconspicuous
stucture.
One area resident complained there had
been no public forum, previous. to the
meeting, to allow local people some input in-
to the changeover at- the centre. tie com-
plained that Tuesday's meeting was too
late, as the decision to convert the centre
has already been made.
Crew admitted that unless, "some new in-
formation comes to light," plans for the con-
version had gone to far to allow the ministry
to reconsider. However, he said the purpose
of Tuesday's meeting was, to allow for local
input into the project.
The plans for the conversion to a young of-
fenders facility were announced when the
Bluewater Centre closed last November,
said Degrandis. Since the project has been
known about and discussed by the media
since then, people have had about 12 months
to make their feelings known, he added.
Several questioners indicated concern
abut the effect ofthe facility on property
values and tourism in the area. One person
was particulary concerned' about the
possibility some of the people who come to
visit centre residents will be "young
unemployed people, who may not have a
good influence on the area."
"We should be careful not to tar
everybody with the same brush. Friends
and family of the offenders are not
necessarily involved with the same type of
activities," said Crew.
Visits would be pre -arranged and for a
specified duration, explained DeGrandis.
"In most cases they would come and visit
and then leave the area," he added.
Problems with visitors to people in penal
institutions have not been reported in other
areas where such institutions are located,
stated DeGrandis.
In regard to property values, DeGrandis
said he does not know of any studies relating
to the effect penal institutions, on neighbor-
ing property values. However, he said a
similar study done by the University of
Waterloo, involving properties located near
group homes, showed no adverse effect on
property values.
SUPERVISED PROJECTS
Responding to questions about the amount
of contact expected, between centre
residents and the community, Crew said
that while residents will not be out on their
own on "day passes", residents will be out-
side the centre on supervised community
work projects. •
Concern was expressed that due to the
high cost of the conversion' (estimated at
$10.4 million), the ministry might consider
expanding the centre and changing it to a
facility for adult offenders.
The centre is being designed for young of-
fenders, said Gitt, who explained that the
cost for an adult facility would be much
higher.
DeGrandis said it is not part of the
ministry's present plan to change the nature.
of the facility.
"We have no hidden agenda," . said
DeGrandis. "But does, that mean that in 10
years, or whatever time frame you wish to
suggest, the game changes? I can'tattest to
that." '
Worsell withdraws from.
Huron bounty Warden race
.Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell . has
withdrawn from the four-way race for the
1985 Warden of Huron County.
In a surprise move at the October session
of Huron County Council, Reeve Worsell
made his announcement.
When asked, forhis reasons for dropping
out of the•race, Reeve Worsell declined any.
response. •
His decision leaves the road clearer for
the remaining candidates. They are Grey
Township Reeve Leona Armstrong, Turn -
berry Township Reeve Brian McBurney and
Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle.
Reeve Worsell said he made his decision
"quite a while ago".
He ran successfully for the position • last
year against current Warden, Tom Cunn-
ingham.
Our interior and exterior
renovations are finished. And, you
are cordially invited to see
our New Look during a special
PEN HQUSI
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OCTOBER 21
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Come see what we've done - and
come see what's new in home furnishings
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new Decorating Department. We offer professional
help with furniture layout, sketches,
colour co-ordination' and consultation.
APPRECIATION
DAYS SALE
Starts Monday, October 22, and lasts
ten days, till Wednesday, October 31.
• It's our way of saying "thank you" to our
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CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBBR 17,1,98 --PAGG•3
Goderich Mayor Eileen Palmer changed
the tone of the meeting, when she commend-
ed the ministry representatives for "a good
presentation of a difficult project to pre-
sent."
The mayor expressed a desire to see area
residents become more accepting of the
future occupants of the Bluewater Centre.
"As people become accustomed to them, I
hope we will learn to refer to them as
residents, rather than inmates. Inmates has
a stigma to it, residents does not," said
Palmer. "It's up to us to lend a hand and
help them along," she added.
This area needs the economic boost that
will be provided by the jobs created at the
centre, said Palmer.
• "We need the jobs. We need to put our peo-
ple back to work. Lets go for it and make the
best of it," said the mayor.
When the conversion is is completed,
Bluewater will be a 120 -bed facility. Renova-
tions will include mandatory upgrading to
meet fire regulations, perimeter security
fencing, conversion of dormitory space to
single and four -bed rooms.
Staff resouces will include psychologists,
psychiatrists, educators and social workers,
who will assess and determine appropriate
programs for residents.
Crew expressed concern about
misconceptions as to the type of facility
Bluewater will be.
"One Newspaper referred to the centre as
a youth jail," he said. "Our ministry does
operate a number of jails and I assure you,
this will in no way resemble one of those.
Area residents got a chance to question.Ministry of Correctional Services representatives,
on the pla;wuted conversion of the former Bluewater Centre for the Developmentally Han-
dicapped into a detention centre for young -offenders, at a recent information meeting held
at the Goderich Township Community Centre. Fielding questions are: from left, Carl
DeGrandis and Victor Crew, correctional services and Manfred Gitt, Ministry of Govern-
ment Services. (photo by Patrick Raftis)
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