News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Winnipeg, MB, September 27, 2006 - On September 24, 2006, the officer in the Motor Patrol Vehicle observed a pair of packages on the north perimeter of the institution. It is believed that these packages were thrown from off the penitentiary reserve in an attempt to introduce them into the exercise yard. The packages contained approximately 55 grams of marijuana, with an estimated institutional value of nearly $4,400.

So far, this year, drugs with an estimated institutional value of $240,000 have been seized at Stony Mountain Institution. This is an unprecedented amount; far eclipsing last year's total of approximately $82,000 worth of drugs seized. Recent efforts by staff to improve Stony Mountain Institution's Institutional Drug Strategy have had a major impact on seizure rates.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is committed to a zero tolerance policy on illegal drugs. The CSC has a national drug interdiction strategy that uses a combination of screening techniques for visitors, and dynamic security provided by Correctional Officers. Officers are trained to observe and act on suspicious activity as well as conduct routine searches. The use of an ion scan machine at the main entrance can detect drugs that are on or have been in contact with visitors. The drug dog can detect hidden drugs, be they on people or otherwise. The Security Intelligence department receives, analyzes, and acts upon intelligence information from various sources. There is also a community policing relationship with the nearby Village of Stony Mountain and the RCMP that has resulted in tips and arrests.

Stony Mountain acknowledges that visitors play an important role in preventing the flow of drugs into our prisons. We would like to make the public aware that inmates may try to force visitors to smuggle drugs into the prisons using manipulation, threats, violence and blackmail. If visitors are being threatened or coerced into bringing drugs to a friend or family member, the institution has staff that they can talk to and help to arrange for their safety in the community. That contact number is (204) 344-6000.

Stony Mountain Institution is a federal institution for medium security inmates located 11 kilometers north of Winnipeg. There are currently 560 inmates in total at the facility.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Aimee Fortier
Media Relations Officer
Phone (204) 344-5111
Pager (204) 936-2005