New rules on inmate calls

Amendments to The Correctional Services Act Regulations enabling corrections officials from the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing (CPSP) to listen to calls recorded on its inmate telephone system have been approved.

"The inmate telephone system is an important part of this government's overall agenda to strengthen on security measures in our correctional centres," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D. F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "Before the system was put in place, inmates could use the telephone system for criminal purposes related to drugs, assaults and intimidate victims and witnesses."

Inmates in all of Saskatchewan's four secure provincial correctional centres have had their phone calls recorded since June, when the system was installed. Recordings are stored and can now be played back by specified corrections personnel if there is suspicion that criminal activity was being transacted.

"The system will enhance staff and public safety by making it difficult for inmates to conduct criminal activities from within our correctional facilities," Huyghebaert said.