Prisoners' rights advocate has a list of things she'd like to see in new HMP design

Cindy Murphy, executive director of the John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, says she wants to be optimistic about government moving forward to replace Her Majesty's Penitentiary (Submitted by Cindy Murphy)

Plans are once again in the works to replace the decrepit Her Majesty's Penitentiary, and one advocate has a list of things she'd like to see included in the new design.

Last week, the Newfoundland and Labrador government announced it was advancing to the next stage to replace the aging St. John's penitentiary after approving the sole applicant for the construction job, New Avalon Corrections Partners, a corporate entity led by Plenary Americas and PCL Investments.

The province had previously announced plans for a replacement in 2019, with construction originally slated to wrap in 2022.

Cindy Murphy, executive director of the John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, said she has to remain optimistic that the provincial government recognizes the need for a new prison.

"We've been here a few times before but it is encouraging, I guess, to find out we're one step closer," she told CBC News.

This is the provincial government's second attempt to find a company to build HMP's replacement. In December, the provincial government announced it was scrapping the approved campus-style design from Avalon Corrections Partners due to rising costs.

LISTEN: CBC's Krissy Holmes chats with John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador executive director Cindy Murphy on what she'd like to see included in the HMP replacement:

Murphy said she hasn't seen the final plans for the latest design but said she didn't have a problem with switching from the campus-style design to a multi-storey building.

"We did not see that as being something that would, you know, really take away from the actual experience of having to be incarcerated. So if that was going to help on saving costs, we were OK with that, for sure."

New HMP needs space for programs

Murphy said she wants to see appropriate spaces for various programs in the new prison.

At the current HMP, she said there's competition for resources like rooms for inmates to meet with lawyers and visitors. She wants to see adequate space where people can learn trade skills, as well for regular education.

Outdoor courts where inmates can go to get fresh air without having to be supervised is also something she wants included.

"That was critically important because the lack of fresh air down there is just incredible," said Murphy.

Her Majesty's Penitentiary was built in the 1850s, and is known for its crumbling infrastructure and persistent rodent problems. (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press)

Murphy also said it's important to have space for rehabilitative programs for substance abuse programming and anger management, as well as more room for programs like the volunteer-run Phoenix Gardening Project.

Another thing Murphy said they felt strongly about was plenty of single cells.

"It's easy to double bunk people, it's probably cheaper because you've got to produce less cells or build less cells. But we know that having some privacy is certainly important," she said.

There also needs to be space for staff for their meals and breaks, said Murphy, adding it's a difficult job and staff need to get away for a period of time.

It will be several years before the aging prison has a functional replacement. Murphy pointed out that the recent provincial budget has allocated money for temporary infrastructure upgrades — to the tune of $15 million over the next two years.

"Because they put a shovel in the ground tomorrow, we know we're probably talking three years out before the new facility is completed," she said. "So what are we going to do in the meantime? There's some really serious issues that are happening down there that need a response that just can't wait."

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