Prison pauses on lower fence

Metchosin residents will be consulted, William Head says

William Head prison won’t lower its fence without consulting residents of Metchosin, Correctional Service Canada says.

Commissioner Don Head has asked for a review of the proposed project, spokesman Jean-Paul Lorieau said in an emailed statement.

“Consultation is being done with the mayor and there will be a formal community consultation prior to any final decision. At this point in time, there is no decision to proceed,” he said.

Currently, the federal prison is surrounded by four-metre-high double fences on three sides and water on one side.

The fences were built when William Head was a mediumsecurity prison, but the institution transitioned to minimum-security in 2003.

Assistant warden Peter Forbes told the Times Colonist this week that a 1.25-metre-tall fence would bring it in line with other minimum-security institutions.

Metchosin Mayor John Ranns, who was notified of the fence plans by the Times Colonist, said the prison’s warden apologized Thursday for not telling him directly.

Ranns said the warden suggested a town hall meeting, but Ranns recommended a presentation to council in January first, to determine if the meeting is necessary.

Council has been given notice every few years that the fence would likely be lowered, but had not been notified that the project had gone to tender, he said.

William Head is the last stop for inmates before they transition back into public life. Some inmates have committed minor crimes, while others are near the end of long sentences for offences such as murder.

Ranns said inmates have painted the municipal hall, done work at the fire department and helped set up Metchosin Day, as part of a work-release program.

Still, Ranns said he hopes the fence height reaches at least one metre.

“I think it should be harder to climb over, because I would imagine it’s a bit of a temptation,” he said.

“It kind of brings to mind the old adage, ‘Good fences make good neighbours.’ We’re anticipating a good fence.”

The most recent escapes occurred in 2013, when two inmates took advantage of the cover of darkness and low tide to walk along the jagged shore, wade into the water and swim almost 200 metres to a beach on the other side of the rocky outcropping.

Dean Allen Benton was arrested by West Shore RCMP the following morning. Brian Peter Patrick, a convicted murderer, was caught a day later.