News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABBOTSFORD, BC, July 11, 2005 - The lockdown of inmates at Matsqui Institution ended July 7, 2005.

Inmates had been confined to their cells since 4:00 p.m. July 4, 2005 to facilitate searching of the institution. The decision to lock down the institution was taken after discovering that a kitchen knife had been missing from one of the private family visiting houses.

The search resulted in the confiscation of seven home made weapons, approximately 232 steroid pills, one syringe, drug paraphernalia and other unauthorized items.

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 320 male offenders.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Cindy Lewis
Acting Assistant Warden, Management Services
(604) 859-4841, ext. 8252