Staff
While still sitting empty, officials are expecting to have youth moved back into the Ge-Da-Gi-Binez Youth Centre here by month’s end.
“The ministry staff have been working with [Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services] to develop a plan to return the youth to the facility before the end of June,” Ministry of Children and Youth Services spokesperson Ryan Rigby said late yesterday afternoon.
He said an exact date can’t be revealed due to safety concerns.
The centre has been sitting empty since an altercation back on June 3 that left two staff members injured, two teens facing assault charges, and all six youths who were being detained there at the time relocated to the young offender facility in Thunder Bay.
“Staff are currently at the centre and have been involved in a review of the incident with ministry staff to learn from what occurred,” Rigby noted.
“As well, the ministry is in the process of providing enhanced training for agency staff,” he added.
Since the ministry is not the employer and can’t speak to staffing, Rigby stressed the safety of both the staff and youth is its top priority.
“However, on very rare occasions, incidents do occur and we do everything to mitigate these type of situations with an ongoing review and enhanced training,” Rigby said.
He noted the centre will remain co-ed, and that Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services will continue to operate it.
