County to propose joint submission with town for new jail

TRURO - There is a movement afoot to try to bring a provincial jail to Colchester County, while one local politician suggests it's too late.
"I think we should explore it," Mayor Bill Mills told the Truro Daily News on Wednesday. "Anytime you have an opportunity to increase employment you want to pursue that."
Nova Scotia Justice Minister Ross Landry announced Tuesday the province will build a 100-cell jail to service Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough and Richmond counties. The news means previously announced jails for Springhill and Antigonish will not proceed.
The minister said the decision was based on saving the province money to build and operate the facility.
A site for the new facility was not announced, leaving many to hope that Colchester County could once again be home to a provincial jail.
"We did lose a jail here once, too," said Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor, referring to the former jail on Queen Street in Truro that closed about a decade ago. "And I think it would be timely to have one back here."
He believes there are county residents who travel back and forth to work in jails. "It would be nice to have them working back at home."
Taylor will be speaking with Mills about a joint submission to the province.
The Colchester Regional Development Agency (CoRDA) and Truro and District Chamber of Commerce both are supporting the idea of bringing the $31-million project to the region.
But Progressive Conservative Party interim Leader Karen Casey said while she supports local communities' attempts, she thinks the jail is going to be announced for Landry's home riding of Pictou Centre, which includes New Glasgow and Westville.
"I think their attempts are futile. I think the decision has already been made," the Colchester North MLA said. "I think it was made the day they were elected."
She was "extremely upset and disappointed" with the announcement, noting the NDP campaigned on a promise to honour previous commitments and predicted it will not be the last.
Mills would not comment on the politics, only to say: "if they look at it from a business case point of view, I would think we would have a very strong case."
He noted the Nova Scotia Community College Truro Campus trains justice officials and there is already a federal women's prison here.
Truro is trying to get the specifics of what is needed in terms of the facility and site size.
"The obvious issue for the Town of Truro is where would you put this," Mills said. "I think we have one or two areas that may be suitable."

jmalloy@trurodaily.com