Yellowknife, N.W.T. - A report on the impact of the federal omnibus crime bill in the NWT predicts that the new legislation will mean over 3800 additional bed days, or the equivalent of 11 extra inmates during the first year the bill is in force.

Minister of Justice Glen Abernathy said the territory can manage that increase right now.

"We've got enough room within, we've got enough vacancy within, we can double up where necessary. We can manage for quite some time and that's what we'll do, we'll manage within. We're also going to look at alternatives to find ways to get lower risk offenders out to alternatives."

The report also said an increase in male youth at the North Slave Young Offender Facility will mean female young offenders can no longer be held there.

Abernathy said building a new facility for female inmates was a priority before Bill C-10.

"We need a current one that meets standards and houses the number of individuals we have, both female adult and youth."

The report said that the cost of housing the additional adult inmates will be over $53,000 per year.

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