News Releases

Ontario Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DISTURBANCE AT WARKWORTH INSTITUTION

Cambellford, ON, July 22, 2009 - At approximately 2100 on July 21, 2009, 211 inmates refused to come in from the recreation yard and reached an internal fence. The remaining inmates were secured in their cells.

The Crisis Centre was opened immediately and the Warden attended. All staff have been accounted for and no staff injuries reported.

The Health Care Centre was breached and the local EM Services called a "state of emergency" based on the various medications located in the Health Care Centre. An ambulance was on site continuously. Currently, four inmates have been sent to outside hospital with suspected drug overdoses.

The Warkworth Emergency Response Team (ERT) as well as ERT teams from Millhaven, Joyceville and Kingston Penitentiary responded. The Ontario Provincial Police attended the perimeter.

Ensuring the safety and security of our institutions, staff and public remains the highest priority in the operations of the Correctional Service of Canada.

Warkworth Institution is a medium-security institution which currently houses 579 male offenders.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Ann Anderson
Assistant Warden Management Services
Warkworth Institution
Correctional Service of Canada
705-313-2310