News Releases

Ontario Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASSAULT ON STAFF AT KINGSTON PENITENTIARY

Kingston, Ontario – September 3, 2009: At approximately 10:30 p.m. an inmate at Kingston Penitentiary broke his light fixture and threw the broken glass fragments at Correctional Officers who were locking the range. Two officers received cuts from this assault.

Another inmate then assaulted four staff with a home-made weapon. Three officers received cuts to their hands, wrist and back, while another officer sustained a pulled muscle.

Health care was provided immediately to the officers.

The Institutional Emergency Response Team secured the range and moved the two inmates to segregation. The OPP Penitentiary Squad will be conducting an investigation into this incident.

The institution is currently secure and is locked down to facilitate an exceptional search for weapons.

Visits are closed. Visitors are asked to call ahead to confirm status of the visiting program before attending the site.

The safety and security of our institutions are the primary focus of our operations. The institution will remain locked down until the warden feels it is safe to return to normal routine.

- 30 -

For more information, media representatives may contact:

Brian Joyce
Assistant Warden Management Services
Kingston Penitentiary
Correctional Service of Canada
(613) 536-6880