A new $42.3-million correctional facility has officially opened in Priestville, N.S. Known as the Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Facility, the jail replaces the aging Antigonish and Cumberland penitentiaries, built in 1948 and 1890, respectively. The new building is the second largest correctional facility in the province.

“This state-of-the-art facility is an important part of our continued work to improve and strengthen Nova Scotia’s corrections system,” says Lena Metlege Diab, Justice Minister for Nova Scotia.

The new prison, which can house up to 196 offenders, is also LEED certified. It was built using natural and recycled materials as well as managed construction waste. In terms of ongoing commitment to sustainability, the facility has a recycling program, a plan for reduced water use and geothermal wells to optimize energy use.

The facility features over 200 closed-circuit indoor and outdoor TV cameras to enhance safety and security, a health-care suite, offender classrooms and booths for court attendance by video-conference. The design of the building will allow staff to have increased presence in offender living units.