News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INNISFAIL, AB, August 31, 2006 - At approximately 6:35 pm yesterday, an inmate was discovered in medical distress in the main dining room. Staff were able to respond immediately to the situation and rushed him to the on-site Health Services unit. Nursing staff in combination with correctional staff engaged CPR until EMS arrived. The inmate was taken to an outside hospital. He was pronounced dead at 9:35 hours.

The deceased inmate, 66 years old, was serving an indeterminate sentence from October, 2003, for various offences included sexual assault, breach of recognizance and fail to comply. He had numerous physical ailments.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The death will be the focus of a detailed review by the Correctional Service of Canada. Provincial legislation also directs that fatality inquiries follow whenever an offender dies while in custody.

Bowden Institution is a federal penitentiary located 100 km north of Calgary, currently accommodating 520 medium security and 69 minimum security inmates.

- 30 -

For more information, media representatives may contact:

Rita Wehrle
Assistant Warden
403-227-7346