News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASSAULT AT MATSQUI INSTITUTION

ABBOTSFORD, BC – July 22, 2010 - On Wednesday July 21, 2010 at approximately 18:00 hours, an inmate was found to have been assaulted at Matsqui Institution. The injured inmate was immediately assessed by staff and escorted to the institutional hospital for treatment. The injuries sustained were not considered life threatening. The institution was placed in lockdown at 18:20 hours. During a search, several weapons were found in the common areas of the living unit.

The institution is currently locked down with all inmates secured in the living units. An investigation is being initiated into the assault and an exceptional search for drugs, weapons and cell phones has been initiated. Regularly scheduled visits to the institution have been suspended for the duration of the lock down. Scheduled Private Family Visits are continuing.

In order to improve its practices to prevent and reduce future incidents, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will continue to work in an effort to review the circumstances surrounding the incident and take action where necessary.

Safety and security remain the highest priority in the operations of the federal correctional system.

Matsqui Institution is a medium security facility operated by the CSC. It is located in Abbotsford and currently houses 261 male offenders.

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For further information media representatives may contact:

Ben McBeath
Acting Assistant Warden Management Services
Matsqui Institution, Abbotsford, BC
Correctional Service of Canada
Phone 604-850-8205