News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCKDOWN AT KENT INSTITUTION

AGASSIZ, BC, September 29, 2008 - Kent Institution remains locked down as a result of an inmate disturbance on September 26, 2008.

After inmates in H Block refused to return to their cells from the exercise yard, inmates in B and D Blocks began protesting. H Block inmates returned to their cells at approximately 4 a.m. on Saturday morning, while B and D Block inmates continued their protest. Negotiators and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) were called in to assist. The ERT remains on site to assist staff with the counting and movement of inmates.

The lockdown will continue while damages are assessed and staff complete searches of cells. A modified visitation routine has been put in place.

No staff or inmates were injured during the incident.

Kent Institution is a federal maximum-security institution located 120 kilometers east of Vancouver. The institution currently houses 247 inmates.

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For further information media representatives may contact:

Whitney Mullin
Media Liaison, Kent Institution
604-796-4406
604-819-3962