A much-needed new correctional centre for the Yukon will be built next to the existing jail in Whitehorse, Justice Minister Marian Horne announced Friday.

"Building on the existing site allows the work to proceed without delay" on the replacement for the aging Whitehorse Correctional Centre,  Horne said.

The government had considered building the new prison on Kwanlin Dun First Nation land in the city's industrial area, but "it was decided that it would cost too much to put the services into this location," she said.

Horne said the government hopes to begin construction of the new jail early next year, with plans to open it by 2011. No funding has been set aside yet to build the jail, although the Yukon Party government had earmarked $3.2 million in this year's budget to study the design of a facility.

Horne also unveiled a very basic plan for the new building.

It will have 72 single rooms, with separate rooms for women. compared to the present 85 beds, most of which are in dormitory-style rooms.

The new building will also have facilities for better inmate programs and "special purpose capacity" for inmates with fetal alcohol disorder and other behaviour problems, she said.

"This is not a jail; it's not there for punishment," Horne said. "It's there for rehabilitation."

Inmates and staff have long complained that the present centre, built in 1967 just north of the city on Range Road., is overcrowded and becoming unhealthy.