Okanagan Incorrectional

On March 18 BC Corrections said the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in Oliver was closed to visitors and volunteers until further notice due to COVID-19. (File photo)

B.C.’s largest prison in Oliver is only at 20% capacity

167 prisoners out of a capacity of 800 are currently at the Okanagan Correctional Centre

 

The Okanagan Correctional Centre (top), as seen from atop McIntyre Bluffs one February evening, is one of a growing number of projects in the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Senkulmen industrial park. Dustin Godfrey/Western News

Remedying health care at Okanagan’s jail

PART 6.5: PHSA has gone on a hiring bender to bolster health coverage, but OCC not out of the rough yet

 

The Okanagan Correctional Centre as seen from the a packed staff parking lot after a media scrum with Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth in February. The jail reportedly struggled last year to maintain a consistent team of medical staff, which a legal advocate believes is what has led to lacking health care in the facility. Dustin Godfrey/Western News

Ailing health care biggest hurdle for Okanagan jail

PART SIX: Inmates reportedly wait weeks for broken bones to be seen, challenges with maintaining medical staff

 

Seen from McIntyre Bluffs one February night, the Okanagan Correctional Centre is flooded with light, next to the darkness of empty land and the starlike twinkle of Oliver’s streetlights. Dustin Godfrey/Western News

Isolation likely factor in drugs, rule-breaking at Okanagan jail

PART FIVE: OCC has highest rate of infractions in B.C. and the second-highest rate of contraband violations

Seen from McIntyre Bluffs one February night, the Okanagan Correctional Centre is flooded with light, next to the darkness of empty land and the starlike twinkle of Oliver’s streetlights. Dustin Godfrey/Western News
B.C. Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth gets a tour of the lobby of Okanagan Correctional Centre with a pair of correctional officers on a February afternoon. Dustin Godfrey/Western News

More violence at B.C.’s newest jail than nearly any other

OCC’s staff-on-inmate claims tops list, jail rates second highest in B.C. for assaults among inmates

B.C. Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth gets a tour of the lobby of Okanagan Correctional Centre with a pair of correctional officers on a February afternoon. Dustin Godfrey/Western News
‘Honeymoon phase is over’ at Okanagan Correctional Centre

‘Honeymoon phase is over’ at Okanagan Correctional Centre

Inexperienced staff a likely contributor to a tower of complaints stacked against OCC

‘Honeymoon phase is over’ at Okanagan Correctional Centre