Manitoba government closes youth jail, cites decline in incarceration rate
Posted March 24, 2022 1:21 pm.
The Manitoba government is closing a youth jail in Portage la Prairie and transferring those in custody to Winnipeg.
The Agassiz Youth Centre will close in July after operating at less than half capacity for several years.
Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen says there are fewer than 90 youth in custody across the province _ down from more than 300 a decade ago.
He says the province will work with Agassiz Youth Centre staff and the government employees’ union to match workers with jobs elsewhere.
No decision has been made about a future use of the site in Portage la Prairie.
Winnipeg’s youth jail has 150 beds and Goertzen says it has also been operating at less than half capacity for years.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 24, 2022.
