Correspondence from School District 61 re: Victoria Youth Detention Centre

BOARD OF EDUCATION

May 21, 2014

The Honourable Minister Cadieux Minister of Children and Family Development PO Box 9045 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

Dear Minister Cadieux:

RE: Victoria Youth Detention Centre

The Board of Education of School District 61 (Greater Victoria) wishes to express our concerns regarding the recent Ministry of Children and Family Development announcement, of plans to close the Victoria Youth Detention Centre. The relocation of vulnerable youth from the Victoria Youth Detention Centre to facilities in Burnaby and Prince George creates significant impacts for Victoria young offenders and their families.

The Greater Victoria School Board respectfully requests a review of this decision in consideration of the considerable challenges faced by our young offenders. We ask that the Centre be kept open to both young male and female offenders, and that young female offenders who have been relocated to other centres be returned to Vancouver Island.

Young offenders, particularly young female offenders, often have no voice in society. These children are frequently marginalized, with multiple issues including substance abuse, physical and emotional abuse, and the effects of poverty. The further they are taken from their homes, the greater the risks they face.

The Victoria Youth Detention Centre plays an essential role within our region, not one measured by occupancy statistics, but by the humanity of a society that values that every child deserves a place in our community.

Yours truly,

Peg Orcherton Board Chair

Cc: Board of Trustees Sherri Bell, Superintendent of Schools All BC Boards of Education, c/o BCSTA Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education Carole James, MLA Victoria-Beacon Hill Rob Fleming, MLA Victoria-Swan Lake Maurine Karagianis, MLA Esquimalt-Royal Roads Dr. Andrew Weaver, MLA Oak Bay-Gordon Head John Horgan, MLA Juan de Fuca Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South Frank Leonard, Mayor, Corporation of the District of Saanich Nils Jensen, Mayor, Corporation of the District of Oak Bay Dean Fortin, Mayor, City of Victoria Barb Desjardins, Mayor, Township of Esquimalt Graham Hill, Mayor, Town of View Royal Jane Mendum, Mayor, District of Highlands Media