B.C. minister says youth custody centre in Victoria closing due to low numbers

VICTORIA – B.C.’s children’s minister has announced the closure of a youth custody centre in Victoria, saying declining numbers mean it’s not feasible to continue operating the facility.

Stephanie Cadieux says that on any given night last year, an average of 15 youth were detained at the Victoria Youth Custody Services Centre, which has 60 beds.

Cadieux says all three youth detention facilities in B.C. — including in Burnaby and Prince George — have been operating at 56 per cent capacity.

She says there’s no decision on when the Victoria centre will be shuttered but that young people housed there will be transferred to Burnaby.

Cadieux says increasing use of technology means that those being held will be able to maintain contact with their families.

The minister says the closure that will save $4.5 million in funding provided to B.C. from the federal government.