News Releases

Ontario Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINGSTON, ON, August 22, 2005 - At around 12:30 pm on August 22, 2005, two inmates at Grand Valley Institution took two staff members hostage. The incident took place in an office of the maximum security unit. Crisis negotiators were deployed immediately and the Institutional Crisis Command centre was opened.

Following ongoing negotiations, one hostage was released at 3:35 pm and the second hostage was released at 5:21 pm. Both are being seen by healthcare and psychology.

The two inmates have been secured in segregation.

This is the first incident of this type to occur at the secure unit since it opened in October 2004. CSC will be conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

CSC will cooperate fully with the police in their investigations. CSC monitors and reviews all security incidents to ensure that it is taking the best measures possible with the aim of preventing and mitigating such incidents.

- 30 -

For more information, media representatives may contact:

Barry McGinnis
Assistant Warden Management Services
(519) 895-8153