New data shows Alberta spends the lowest amount of money per inmate in Canada – a number the province says is value for money but critics label shortsighted and worrisome.The Edmonton Remand Centre is shown on Saturday, April 27, 2013. /THE CANADIAN PRESSPhoto by Ben Lemphers

New numbers show Alberta lowest in Canada on per capita spending on inmates

by · Calgary Herald

EDMONTON – New data shows Alberta spends the lowest amount of money per inmate in Canada — a number the province says is value for money but critics label short-sighted and worrisome.

The numbers, published by Statistics Canada earlier this month, show Alberta spends $193 per day per inmate.

Saskatchewan spends $199.

Almost every other province and territory puts in over $300.