News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABBOTSFORD, BC, February 24, 2005 - Inmates at Matsqui Institution were locked in their cells as the institution was placed on lockdown yesterday (February 23) at 8 p.m. to facilitate a search of the institution.

An exceptional search was authorized by the Warden following the reported assault on an inmate with a homemade weapon. The inmate incurred minor, non-life threatening injuries. A search for homemade weapons and other contraband is underway.

Regularly scheduled visits to the institution have been suspended for the duration of the lockdown.

Matsqui Institution is a medium security facility operated by the Correctional Service of Canada. It is located in Abbotsford and has a current population of 270 male offenders.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Wayne Marston
Assistant Warden, Management Services
(604) 850-8240