DRUG PROGRAM FORCED TO REFUSE BAIL CLIENTS

A residential drug and alcohol addiction program is refusing to take people
on bail because the province will not cover the cost of the treatment.

As a result, some defence lawyers say clients who would normally be granted
bail are stuck behind bars.

"There's no question that without this program people are falling through
the cracks," said defence lawyer Martin Glazer. "They are being locked up
when they could be out on bail."

The Anchorage Program, a 60-day residential program run by the Salvation
Army, receives $26 a day from social assistance for each person on bail it
takes.

"That covers room and board, but provincial corrections doesn't put in any
cash," said program director Doreen Kydd.

Kydd said they receive no money for the counselling services and other
programs they provide bail clients. She said clients meet with counsellors
to work through their substance abuse addictions. There are also classes
dealing with anger management.

In the mornings, she said, participants meet as a group and discuss various
issues they might be dealing with.

The program provides round-the-clock monitoring, said Kydd.

She said they have been trying unsuccessfully since the spring to get an
additional $35 a day per bail client from Manitoba Justice.

The 15-year-old Anchorage program stopped taking bail clients in the spring.

"We can't afford to take them on anymore," said Kydd. The centre does
accept offenders on parole. Kydd said their fees are covered by the federal
government, which pays $75 a day per person.

Kydd said because clients from the federal government in the past have made
up the bulk of their clients, they could afford to take people on bail.
However, Kydd said the number of federal participants has declined over the
years.

The program has 32 beds, 27 for men and five for woman.

Currently, 18 of those beds are filled with referrals, walk-ins and federal
government clients, said Kydd.

Glazer said being kept in the Remand Centre means people aren't getting the
help they need.

"There are no treatment programs in the Remand Centre," said Glazer.
"Without rehabilitation they will still be a threat to the public."

Glazer said there are not a lot of other options available.

Glazer, a former vice-president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers
Association, said he expects the association will be dealing with the
matter when it next meets. He could not say what action it might take. A
Justice Department spokesman said there are no immediate plans to provide
the program with additional money.

However, he said they will be reviewing the matter.