White Birch remand centre used for isolation

Housed five people since early April

With efforts having been made to keep people out of custody facilities due to COVID-19 concerns, one Regina-based remand centre has been repurposed to house individuals subject to involuntary isolation.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed this week that White Birch Female Remand Unit is being temporarily put to use as an isolation centre “for those who are not able to comply or unwilling to follow the self-isolation orders established by the Chief Medical Officer of Saskatchewan.”

“The use of the isolation centre is considered a ‘last resort’ to prevent an individual from spreading COVID-19 in situations where other approaches have not been effective or appropriate,” said a news release.

The ministry did not make anyone available for an interview.

Since it opened in early April, the isolation centre has housed a total of five people.

As of Tuesday, it held three people.

The ministry said the centre is being staffed by Sheriff Services and Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods members.

“Staff working at the isolation centre also work with local public health authorities to ensure the individuals being housed at the centre are receiving appropriate medical care,” said the release.

The centre is said to be taking the usual safety precautions pertaining to COVID-19.

According to the Regina Police Service, two of the five people are related to arrests made by city police — a female on April 6 and a male on April 14.

The woman — who had also received a $2,800 ticket — was the first person in the province to be ticketed for violating the province’s public health order.

According to police, the 23-year-old had tested positive for COVID -19 but did not comply with the mandatory self-isolation order.

Anyone who wishes to report an alleged violation of the public health order is asked to call 1-855559-5502.

Investigations into reports will be led by Public Health, with assistance from the RPS if necessary.