Bridgewater Sheriffs' Hours Not Reduced

The Department of Justice says it will cut back on the amount of hours worked by casual and part-time sheriffs.

The department confirms that the move will affect 23 out of 190 sheriffs working at courts across the province.

The exceptions are the sheriffs working at the courthouse on High Street in Bridgewater, as well as those at facilities in Halifax and Sydney.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Gavin says the affected workers will see their hours cut by 20-per-cent or more.

The justice critic for the Progressive conservatives says the reductions do not make sense.

Murray Scott says the previous Tory government beefed-up the sheriffs-service in response to some high-profile prisoner-escapes and complaints over a lack of resources.
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