News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTRABAND SEIZURE - MATSQUI INSTITUTION

Abbotsford, BC, February 24, 2010 - A seizure of a package, containing a significant quantity of drugs, a cell phone and some tobacco was made at Matsqui Institution on the evening of February 23, 2010. We believe that the package was launched into the institution from an air gun. A local farmer's fence line was cut open, which allowed access to the institutional property.

Our Security Intelligence Officers have gone out to meet our community neighbours and local residents to talk about our concerns of people trespassing on the local properties, to access the institutional property. They have left their business cards and a letter inviting local residents to contact the institution should they observe any suspicious activity.

The presence of drugs in institutions continues to be of great concern to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) as it is often related to the commission of crimes, the transmission of infectious diseases and violence in institutions. CSC is committed to eliminating drug use in its facilities by reducing both the supply of and demand for drugs among offenders.

As part of its Transformation Agenda, CSC is strengthening measures to prevent contraband from entering institutions, in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone, and promote a rehabilitative environment for inmates. CSC also works in partnership with the police to prosecute inmates and others who attempt to have contraband brought into correctional institutions.

The staff and management at Matsqui Institution wish to remind citizens that there is a toll-free telephone tip-line 1-866-780-3784. CSC has set up this line for all federal institutions in the Pacific Region to provide an additional source for receiving information about activities that relate to those involved in drug trafficking, intimidation, assault and loan sharking. Such information is treated with confidentiality, and a security intelligence officer will provide follow-up.

Matsqui Institution is a medium security facility operated by CSC. It is located in Abbotsford and has a current population of 272 male offenders.

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For further information media representatives may contact:

Gordon Tanner
Assistant Warden Management Services
Matsqui Institution
Abbotsford, BC, V2S 4P3
Correctional Service Canada
604-850-8205