Twenty remaining workers at the Victoria Youth Custody Centre have received layoff notices as the B.C. government completes its plan to close the facility.
The layoff notices received Wednesday are part of a formal process that gives the employees five days to choose whether they want to receive severance, take up vacant positions or move to other jobs where they have seniority.
Once the employees have made their decision, the ministry will have a better idea of when the centre will be formally closed, says a statement from the Ministry for Children and Family Development. The process can take up to 90 days.
In April, Children and Family Minister Stephanie Cadieux announced that the provincial government could no longer afford to keep the View Royal jail open to house an average of 15 boys a night. The facility was built for 60, but has been budgeted to house a maximum of 24 since the girls unit closed in 2012.
Cadieux said the jail closing, announced without consultation, would save $4.5 million a year and offset an equivalent loss of federal money due to the declining number of youth in custody.
In July, the ministry began transferring youth in custody to Burnaby and Prince George jails. Youth on short-term remand and sentenced to fewer than seven days will continue to be housed at the Victoria youth custody centre until it is closed.
Police chiefs, municipal politicians, First Nations leaders, families, corrections officers, researchers, the B.C. representative for children and youth, and the provincial health officer have spoken out against the decision. Among the concerns was that youth would spend more time in police cells, lose contact with families and community, and experience more violence and gang activity at the Burnaby jail.
In June, more than 70 youth custody workers received layoff notices. Since then, many have been placed in other positions in government or have been paid severance, said Evan Stewart, communications officer for the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union.
“Our collective agreement provides solid protection for all of the regular staff impacted by this closure,” said union president Stephanie Smith. “However, the closure of the centre and the loss of the important services it provides are a real blow to the community. This is a short-sighted decision that will expose vulnerable youth to even greater risks.”
The Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services is looking at options for the site.
Smith suggested it could be repurposed to provide mental-health and addictions services to adults or youth.
“These services are in short supply across the province and this facility was designed to provide these resources,” Smith said. “We also have experienced staff who can deliver them.”
