There has been progress on an issue that has been a bone of contention for North Battleford officials lately: the housing of provincial prisoners in city jail cells.
The city had been threatening to kick out the province’s prisoners that were being housed in North Battleford cells on June 30 if there wasn’t “substantial progress” towards a funding agreement with the province, where the province would pay the city for having these prisoners housed in city cells.
Provincial prisoners are those who have appeared in court and have been remanded to the province.
City manager Jim Puffalt brought the issue to council in late April. The ultimatum issued to the province on the whole provincial prisoners issue was among several measures brought in by the city as part of their budget revisions.
At Monday’s meeting, however, Puffalt reported there was “substantial progress” seen on the issue.
“We are moving quite rapidly towards a solution we can bring to council,” said Puffalt.
As a result, provincial prisoners will continue to be accepted by the city beyond June 30. Puffalt said the deadline has been extended, and will continue to be extended on a month to month basis until a settlement is reached.
