News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDMONTON, AB, September 27, 2004 - At approximately 7:50 tonight, an inmate in the Secure Unit at Edmonton Institution for Women (EIFW) took another inmate hostage. Crisis negotiators were deployed immediately and the Institutional Crisis Command Centre was opened. At 9:04 p.m. after about one hour of negotiation, a staff member was able to gain physical control of the aggressor and safely secure the hostage. The hostage received a minor cut to her forearm at the onset of the incident. The hostage taker was uninjured and no staff members were injured. Edmonton Police Service were informed and have begun an investigation.

The aggressor is 22 years old, serving a life sentence for second degree murder. The victim is 32 years old, serving a four year sentence for robbery and theft.

This is the first incident of this type to occur at the secure unit since it opened in 2002. The Correctional Service of Canada will be conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Edmonton Institution for Women is located at 11151 178 Avenue in northwest Edmonton. It is a 117 bed multi-level institution that currently accommodates 106 inmates, 11 of whom are in the secure unit. The facility was opened in 1995 with the maximum security unit opening in February of 2003.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Cecile Gobeil
Assistant Warden, Management Services
(780) 495-3377