Lockdown at Kent Institution Following an Assault on an Employee

Agassiz, British Columbia, June 25, 2012 – At approximately 2:00 PM, on June 23, 2012, Kent Institution, a maximum-security federal penitentiary, was placed on lockdown as a result of an inmate assault on a correctional officer.

The safety and security of our institutions is the primary consideration of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). The institution will re-open as soon as it is determined safe to do so.

Visits to the institution have been 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 incident and take action where necessary.

-30-

For more information, media personnel may contact:

Gord Mattson
Assistant Warden Management Services
Correctional Service Canada
Kent Institution
(604) 796-4404
(604) 798-4174 (Cell)