News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE - LOCKDOWN AT KENT INSTITUTION

AGASSIZ, BC, November 12, 2008 - Kent Institution remains locked down for searching, following a disturbance in F Block on Saturday November 8, 2008.

At approximately 1900 hours F Block inmates were in the gymnasium and a fight broke out. The staff responded and returned the inmates to their block where they refused to lock up. Several inmates proceeded into the yard behind the block and attempted to breach the fence and gain access to the roof. Gas was deployed into the yard and the inmates became compliant.

A recent news article reported that shots had been fired during the disturbance; however, the information reported was incorrect and no shots were fired during the disturbance.

The institution will remain locked down until searching is complete and management determines it is safe to do so, while ensuring the continued safety and security of the public, staff and inmates.

Kent Institution is a federal maximum-security institution located 120 kilometers east of Vancouver. The institution currently houses 229 inmates.

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For further information media representatives may contact:

Whitney Mullin
Acting/Assistant Warden Management Services
Office 604-796-4404
Cell Phone 604-819-3962