PRINCE GEORGE – Government will invest more than $2.5 million to enhance the Prince George courthouse and regional correctional centre, creating 16 direct jobs and stimulating the local economy, Attorney General Wally Oppal, Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Prince George North MLA Pat Bell and Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad announced recently.

“As high security, high profile trials are occurring, the Province has a need for courtrooms with a greater level of security features,” Oppal said. “This enhanced courtroom will give the judiciary and courthouse staff the resources to conduct high security trials locally.”

The Province will also spend $58,000 to construct a new secure interview/hearing room and install an additional videoconference unit at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre. They will be used by defence counsel to interview accused at the detention centre. Accused in custody will be able to participate in bail hearings and other appearances using video technology.

“These changes will provide a secured environment for complex trials,” Bond said. “These improvements will also modernize our courthouse and increase our capacity to provide additional services, including the use of technology to eliminate cost and time associated with transporting prisoners.”

“Videoconferencing enables accused and prisoners to meet with defence counsel without having to be transported to the courthouse,” Bell said. “It will give accused earlier access to their counsel, with the intention of moving their case through the courts more quickly.”

“This is great news for Prince George and will benefit all northern residents who need court services,” Rustad said.

These projects are part of an overall,three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.