Duane Hicks
Six detainees at the Ge-Da-Gi-Binez Youth Centre here have been removed temporarily from the facility after a pair of staff members were assaulted there last Wednesday evening.
An altercation took place in the recreation yard which resulted in five male youths assaulting two staff, Anne Smith, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, reported this morning.
One staff person required medical attention, but later was released.
Police were called in to assist getting the youths back to their rooms, then later on escorted them from here to the youth facility in Thunder Bay.
While only five youths were involved in the altercation, there was a total of six being detained at the facility at the time.
“The decision was made the one additional youth that was not involved in the incident would also be removed to give the agency [Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services] and ministry time required to review the situation,” noted Smith.
“The agency and the ministry are working together now to develop a plan to return the youth to the facility as soon as possible,” she added.
“The ministry has great confidence in the agency’s ability to operate this facility.”
The $13.2-million Ge-Da-Gi-Binez Youth Centre, Canada’s first secure custody facility for aboriginal youth, first opened its doors March 23.
It is meant to serve aboriginal youth aged 12-17 who require secure custody and detention in Northwestern Ontario.
It is operated by Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services.
