Released on November 16, 2010
The province is moving to amend The Correctional Services Act and accompanying Regulations to provide the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing with the legislated ability to listen to calls being recorded by its new inmate telephone system.
The system was introduced to all four secure adult correctional facilities across the province in June, 2010. The function allowing calls to be replayed was not activated at the same time the system was installed. Once activated, it will allow the facility director and other authorized corrections personnel to listen to suspicious calls.
"Telephone monitoring is one means of reducing criminal activity in our correctional facilities," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "This system is one of our commitments to making our correctional facilities safer and more secure."
Another security feature of the system is the ability to block telephone numbers, so that victims and the public can be protected from unwanted or harassing phone calls.
Inmates making outgoing telephone calls pay from $1.35 to $1.85 per call plus long distance charges to recover the costs of the system's operation. Remanded offenders receive three free local calls per day and calls to most government agencies and not-for-profit legal counsel anywhere in the province are free.
Similar systems are in place in correctional facilities in several Canadian provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia, as well as in most American jurisdictions.
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For more information, contact:
Desirae Bernreuther
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2626
Email: desirae.bernreuther@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-5898