News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCKDOWN AT PACIFIC INSTITUTION AND THE REGIONAL TREATMENT CENTRE

ABBOTSFORD, BC, October 31, 2008 - Inmates at Pacific Institution and the Regional Treatment Centre have placed on lockdown since mid-morning, due to an assault on three staff by an inmate.

The staff assaulted received medical attention for minor injuries, and the inmate has been moved to Kent Institution, a maximum security institution located in Agassiz. Abbotsford police have been notified.

Regularly scheduled inmate visits have been suspended for today. Private family visits are continuing as scheduled.

Ensuring the safety and security of institutions, staff, and public remains the highest priority in the operations of the federal correctional system.

The Pacific Institution and the Regional Treatment Centre are co-located in Abbotsford. The facility includes a 20-bed medical hospital, 96-bed psychiatric hospital, 96-bed rehabilitation unit, 127-bed program unit and a 96-bed regional reception and assessment centre.

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For further information media representatives may contact:

Dan O'Hara
A/Assistant Warden, Management Services
604-870-7703