News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SERIOUS INCIDENT AND LOCKDOWN AT SASKATCHEWAN PENITENTIARY – MAXIMUM SECURITY UNIT

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, January 4, 2010 – At approximately 12:40 p.m. today, the maximum-security unit at Saskatchewan Penitentiary was placed on a general lockdown after a fight broke out involving at least 10 inmates.

One inmate has died, and two inmates sustained serious injuries as a result of the altercation, and are receiving emergency medical attention. No names have been released until next-of-kin are notified. No staff injuries have been reported.

The RCMP have been contacted and are currently on scene investigating the incident. As in all cases where an individual dies while in custody, the coroner is called in to investigate. In addition, Correctional Service Canada will also investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Although the lockdown will affect the maximum-security unit of the penitentiary, the medium-security units are scheduled to operate under modified routine.

Saskatchewan Penitentiary is a federal penitentiary located one kilometre west of Prince Albert, SK, and currently accommodates 493 medium-security inmates and153 maximum-security inmates.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Darcy Begrand
Media Relations
Saskatchewan Penitentiary
Correctional Service Canada
(306) 765-8036