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Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AGASSIZ, BC, June 7, 2005 - Representatives from the BC Persons with AIDS Society attended Mountain Institution in Agassiz June 6 to present the Accolaids Award to the Chainlink representatives in a ceremony in the institution's Harmony House.

The Accolaids 2005 Awards were held in the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver on May 15. The Chainlink Group at Mountain Institution - a group comprised of federally-sentenced Inmates - was awarded the Accolaids Award for Philanthropy.

This award recognizes a voluntary charitable initiative, individual, group, institution or business that is motivated by a commitment to human welfare; philanthropists generally contribute their time, resources and/or financial support to advance a specific cause.

This is the fourth year that the Mountain Chainlink Group was nominated but the first year they have won the award. Activities the Mountain Chainlink group organize each year include an AIDS walk, with the money raised going to the BC Persons with AIDS Society's annual fund-raiser.

The Chainlink group also works with Inmates within Mountain Institution through the Caregiver Program, and is involved in the educational component surrounding HIV/Hepatitis C.

Community members, CSC representatives and inmate volunteers who work in the Chainlink group attended yesterday's award presentation.

Mountain Institution is a medium security facility operated by the Correctional Service of Canada. It is located in Agassiz and currently houses 468 federally sentenced, male inmates.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Greg Fortnum
Media Spokesperson
(604) 796-1438