Brockton council will be dealing with a resolution on Monday, calling for a construction of a regional jail in Walkerton, covering Huron, Bruce and Grey Counties.
However, contrary to published reports, Bruce County Council did not endorse such a move at its regular meeting on Thursday.
Warden Mike Smith says councillors did approve a resolution requesting that the Walkerton Jail continue to remain open.
Smith says in a perfect world — a new modern 120 bed jail in Walkerton is the best solution.
But if that can’t be supported by the province and both jails can’t remain open, then the Community Safety and Correctional Services ministry should consider keeping the Walkerton Jail open in order to retain a certain level of service, particularly for the Intermittent Program, where people serve their time on weekends.
Brockton Deputy Mayor Roland Anstett says his council will continue to push for a new regional jail set-up in Walkerton.
The President of Local 225, Ontario Public Service Employees Union, representing the Walkerton jail workers Gerry Hope was also on hand at county council with a half-dozen jail employees.
Hope says the regional jail idea is one solution but it would take 8 to 10 years to develop and build such a facility.
