News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASSAULT AT MATSQUI INSTITUTION

ABBOTSFORD, BC – January 12, 2011 - On Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at approximately 21:20 hours, an inmate was found to have been assaulted at Matsqui Institution. The injured inmate was immediately assessed by staff and escorted to outside hospital for treatment. The injuries sustained were considered serious. The institution was immediately placed on lockdown.

All inmates are secured in the living units and an investigation has been initiated into the assault. An exceptional search for weapons is underway. Regularly scheduled visits to the institution have been suspended for the duration of the lockdown.

In order to improve its practices to prevent and reduce future incidents, Correctional Services Canada will continue to work in an effort to review the circumstances surrounding this 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 CSC. It is located in Abbotsford and currently houses 277 male offenders.

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For further information, please contact:

Gordon Tanner
Assistant Warden Management Services
Matsqui Institution, Abbotsford, BC
Correctional Service of Canada
Phone 604-850-8205