News Releases

Pacific Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABBOTSFORD, BC, November 15, 2005 - The Correctional Service of Canada announced today that it has set up a telephone Tip-Line at all federal institutions in the Pacific Region to provide an additional source for receiving information about activities that relate to safety and security of CSC institutions.

These activities may be related to drug use, trafficking, intimidation or pressuring or any other activity that may threaten the safety and security of people visiting, working at or housed at a CSC facility.

The toll-free number 1-866-955-5550 will put the caller in touch with any of the institutions within the Pacific Region. When the toll-free number is called, the caller will be asked to select from a list of institutions by pressing a number on the key pad of the phone. To process calls as quickly as possible, recorded messages will be kept to a minimum length and the selections are designed to get the caller connected to the correct site as quickly as possible.

"The Correctional Service of Canada is committed to the safety and security of staff, visitors and offenders in its facilities," said Don Demers, the Pacific Regional Deputy Commissioner. "Part of that commitment includes gathering intelligence information to prevent and stop illegal activities."

Information received on the toll-free Tip-Line number is protected and callers may choose to remain anonymous.

The initial toll-free number will be specifically for information pertaining to institutions. Pamphlets will be distributed to visitors, staff and inmates informing them about the line and its purpose.

People with information about offenders in the community will be asked to continue to call Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477) or the local Parole Office.

The Correctional Service of Canada's Pacific Region operates 10 institutions with a current population of about 2,000 inmates, and also supervises approximately 1,050 offenders in communities across British Columbia.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Dennis Finlay
Regional Communications Manager (Pacific)
(604) 870-2680