NORTH BATTLEFORD — The Government of Saskatchewan has transitioned the services from Drumming Hill Youth Centre to youth in custody facilities in Prince Albert and Regina.
As a result, the facility is closed and the intention is to explore repurposing the facility to provide addictions services.
The average number of youth in custody has declined and remains considerably lower than the facility’s capacity of 14; in 2021-22 the average use at the facility was 4.5, according to the Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Ministry. The Prince Albert Youth Residence and the Paul Dojack Youth Centre in Regina have the capacity to accommodate current and anticipated numbers of youth in open custody.
Staff at the Drumming Hill Youth Centre were notified of the closure in late September. The majority of staff have been reassigned to Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford’s secure wing. Human resources staff have been assigned to support staff as part of the transition.
The Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement will work with the Ministry of Health to determine a strategy for the facility to accommodate addictions programming in the future.
