News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABBOTSFORD, B.C., May 10, 2004 - Inmates at the Correctional Service of Canada's Regional Reception and Assessment Centre (RRAC) in Abbotsford are protesting the facility's no-smoking policy.

RRAC is the receiving unit for all newly-sentenced federal inmates in British Columbia and Yukon. It has been a non-smoking institution since moving from Matsqui Institution to its new location inside Pacific Institution in June, 2003.

On May 6, inmates of the unit submitted a petition to register their complaint regarding the non-smoking policy. On May 7, the majority of inmates in the unit refused both their breakfast meals to protest the non-smoking policy. Over the weekend, 78 of the 92 inmates continued to refuse meals. Most continued to consume juice, coffee and canteen items. The unit remained quiet and operating according to the normal routine.

Warden John Costello met with inmate representatives yesterday and confirmed the maintenance of the no smoking policy. At the same time, the Warden agreed to review other issues raised by the inmate representatives such as the availability of educational material and support in the RRAC.

All inmates with the exception of one ate the supper meal on May 9. The unit remains on normal operating routine.

There are approximately 500 admissions per year to federal custody in the Pacific region. Each inmate remains at the Centre for 70 days. There are 92 inmates currently in the reception centre.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Glen Brown
Acting Assistant Warden, Management Services
(604) 870-7703