P.E.I. having difficult time hiring psychologist for justice system

The Opposition raised concerns Friday about a psychologist position in the justice system that's sat vacant for months.

Morell-Mermaid MLA Sidney MacEwen says this person is supposed to assess, diagnose and prescribe treatment for offenders in the justice system.

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"Vulnerable Islanders are trapped in a vicious cycle struggling to access badly needed mental health services in and outside our justice system," he said in the P.E.I. Legislature.

Advertising nationally

The government says it's been advertising to fill the position for a year, with no applicants, so it recently started advertising nationally.

A statement provided to CBC says all provinces except onehave a vacancy in this specific position, because not enough psychologists in Canada are willing to work in corrections.

Some changes have been made to the position in P.E.I. to make it more attractive.

The province says, in the meantime, comprehensive services are being delivered to people in the justice system.

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