News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INNISFAIL, ALBERTA, June 14, 2004 - Last night during the 10 p.m. count of inmates at the minimum security unit at Bowden Institution, one inmate was not present.

An immediate search of the grounds and buildings failed to locate the inmate. RCMP in Innisfail were notified. The inmate is currently unlawfully at large. He was last seen at the unit at around 7:30 p.m.

The missing inmate is James Bear, 26 years old, serving a four year sentence for numerous property related offences as well as armed robbery. His sentence commenced on September 8, 2003 and was due to expire on September 7, 2007. He is 183 cm tall (six feet), weighs 77 kg (170 pounds) with a medium complexion, full black hair and brown eyes.

This is the first such incident this year. The institution had two escapes from the minimum security unit last year. Both inmates were recaptured; one within hours, the other within days.

Bowden Institution is a federal penitentiary located 100 km north of Calgary just off Highway 2, currently accommodating 465 medium security and 79 minimum security inmates.

The escape will be the focus of a detailed review by the Correctional Service of Canada.

- 30 -

For more information, media representatives may contact:

Rita Wehrle
Assistant Warden
(403) 227-7346