(October 6, 2023, St. John’s):Helen Conway Ottenheimer, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Justice and Public Safety and MHA for Harbour Main, says the deplorable conditions at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP) are only getting worse due to inaction from the Liberal Government.

“The conditions at HMP are totally unacceptable. For years, we’ve heard story after story of rats in the walls, of entire wings of the prison being closed due to poor conditions, and now of mould growing in the walls of the facility. When offenders are having their sentences reduced due to the horrendous conditions at HMP, something has gone terribly wrong,” said Conway Ottenheimer.

“The Liberals got their photo-op when the HMP replacement was announced in 2019, but four years later we know nothing about the progress of this project. Reduced sentences for offenders for what amounts to cruel and unusual punishment cannot be the answer to the problem the Liberal Government refuses to fix.”

Conway Ottenheimer is calling for short-term solutions, as well as long-term details of the HMP replacement.

“Conditions have gotten so bad that basic visitation is being interrupted, according to media reports. Yet, we see nothing from the Minister on short-term solutions. Those paying their debt to society need the basic dignity of a functioning prison facility, without fear of exposure to rodents, mould, and unsafe conditions,” said Conway Ottenheimer.

“Still we wait for any details, any timeline – anything to assure that a replacement for HMP is going ahead and will proceed in as quickly as possible. Silence from the Minister as these issues continue to pile up is not the leadership we need right now.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca