Band bidding for prison

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The Alexander Indian Band is joining forces with two nearby communities in a bid for a woman's prison.

Morinville, the Minicipal District of Sturgeon and the band submitted a proposal to Corrections Canada to have the 40-bed facility located in their area northwest of Edmonton.

The precise location of the prison was not indicated in the proposal. The band's director of economic development, Henry Arcand, said he "doubts the federal government would build" the prison "on band land since they'll have a facility they can't take with them" if something should go wrong.

The band will witness economic benefits through employment opportunities even if the minimum-security prison is not located on the reserve, he said.

Arcand said Alexander Natives are concerned about "the actual programming at the prison because we've got our people there."

Aboriginal women make up 37 per cent of the inmates in Alberta correctional institutions and about half the inmates in remand centres.

Although the band supports the town of Morinville, which spearheaded the proposal, Native culture must be part of the Prison Program, said Arcand.

Bea Fricson, Morinville's director of economic development, said if their location is chosen for the prison it'll be perfect "opportunity for Natives to help Natives. They'll be rehabilitated back into their society rather than imposing white standards" on them during the rehabilitation process and then being dumped back into white society.

About 60 communities across the Prairie Provinces are vying for the prison yet Fricson said they "stand a good chance."

A decision from Ottawa on the location of the prison is expected this month.