Lockdown at Kent Institution

Agassiz, British Columbia, May 30, 2012 – At approximately 8 a.m., on May 30, Kent Institution a maximum-security federal penitentiary was placed on lockdown as a result of an inmate disturbance.

The lockdown is being imposed to ensure the ongoing safety and security of the institution, its staff and the inmates. The institution will return to normal routine when it is determined safe to do so. The safety and security of our institutions is the primary consideration of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).

Visits will be suspended until further notice.

In order to improve its practices to prevent and reduce future incidents, CSC will continue to work in an effort to review the circumstances surrounding the disturbance and take action where necessary.

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For more information, media personnel may contact:

Whitney Burnett
Media Spokesperson
Correctional Service Canada
Kent Institution
604-796-4534
604-819-3962 (Cell Phone)