Manitoba’s only youth correctional centre is under provincial review, after Winnipeg police arrested and charged a pair of staff members with sex offences against inmates.
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe confirmed the provincial justice department has launched a probe into the Manitoba Youth Centre, where up to 150 young offenders are held in custody at any given time.
“I am deeply concerned by any reports of abuse, especially when they involve vulnerable children,” Wiebe said in a statement to the Free Press Friday.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
The provincial justice department has launched a probe into the Manitoba Youth Centre, where up to 150 young offenders are held in custody at any given time.
“As the (Winnipeg Police Service) has laid charges and continues to investigate, Manitoba Corrections is also conducting an internal investigation … to ensure the needs of vulnerable youth are prioritized and met.”
The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth has been informed of the probe, Wiebe added. The independent office has the legislative ability to issue formal recommendations to improve public services.
The youth advocate did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
The probe comes after city police announced charges against a 26-year-old female corrections officer on Monday.
Investigators believe the accused sexually assaulted a youth multiple times inside the Winnipeg facility. She’s been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation and has been released on conditions barring access to anyone under 18, police said.
The gender of the victim has not been revealed. Police have not released the identity of the accused woman because the charges have yet to be formally laid in court.
The arrest followed similar charges against another guard, announced by police last month.
Troy David Wensel of Winnipeg, 51, was arrested Nov. 12 and charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and obtaining sexual services from a person under 18 years. He, too, was released with conditions prohibiting access to anyone under 18.
Investigators said the corrections officer formed a relationship with a female inmate between 2022 and 2023. During that time, he provided her with extra canteen items, and in exchange, he sexually assaulted her, police said.
A review of court records showed Wensel has no prior charges.
Corrections officers inside the youth facility are referred to as juvenile counsellors.
Everybody hired as a juvenile counsellor is subject to pre-screening, including a criminal record check, child and adult abuse registry check, a vulnerable sector search and other enhanced security measures, a provincial spokesperson said Friday.
Successful candidates complete a mandatory, eight-week training program.
“Qualifications for juvenile counsellors include post-secondary education with direct related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience,” the spokesperson said.
“Other qualifications include experience working with Indigenous peoples, an understanding of Indigenous culture/spirituality and the ability to meaningfully engage with diverse cultures and backgrounds.”
The Manitoba Youth Centre became the only juvenile correctional facility in the province in 2022 when the province shuttered the Agassiz Youth Centre. It is a co-ed facility, capable of housing 105 boys and 45 girls.
tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca
Tyler Searle
Reporter
Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press‘s city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic’s creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler.
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