News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lockdown at Matsqui Institution

ABBOTSFORD, BC – December 21, 2010 – On Monday December 20, 2010 at approximately 21:30 hours, an inmate was found to have been assaulted at Matsqui Institution. The injured inmate was immediately assessed by staff and escorted for treatment at outside hospital. After a review and analysis of earlier assaults over the past weeks, a decision was made to lock down.

All inmates are currently secured in the living units. An investigation and analysis of the incident is under way. A preliminary search for weapons and other contraband 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 will review the circumstances surrounding the incident and take action where necessary.

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

Matsqui Institution is a medium security facility operated by the Correctional Service of Canada. It is located in Abbotsford and currently houses 273 male offenders.

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For further information, please contact:

Greg Fortnum
A/Deputy Warden
Matsqui Institution, Abbotsford, BC
Correctional Service of Canada
Phone 604-850-8252