News Releases

Prairies Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ESCAPE FROM ESCORTED TEMPORARY ABSENCE DRUMHELLER INSTITUTION

Drumheller, Alberta, March 11, 2011 – On Thursday, March 10, 2011 at approximately 1956 hours Drumheller Institution was notified that William BICKNELL escaped from an escorted temporary absence while returning from Edmonton, Alberta. BICKNELL should be considered armed and dangerous.

William BICKNELL is a forty-two year old first time federal offender serving an indeterminate sentence for Second Degree Murder. His sentence commenced on 2003-10-03. He is 6’6 tall and weighs 402 lbs. He has brown hair and hazel eyes with a fair complexion. He has a number of tattoos including full sleeves on both arms, a unicorn on his left shoulder, a cobra on his left arm, and a heart on his chest.

The authorities have been notified and the Correctional Service of Canada will continue to work with police in an effort to locate the offender as quickly as possible. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of BICKNELL is asked to contact their local police department.

The Correctional Service of Canada will review the circumstances surrounding the incident and will take necessary measures to address any safety and security issues stemming from this incident.

Drumheller Institution is a federal penitentiary located 140 km northeast of Calgary, currently accommodating 503 medium security and 64 minimum security inmates.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Sharon Schaffer
Assistant Warden Management Services
Drumheller Institution
Correctional Service Canada
(403) 820-6052

Dawn Bancroft
Media Spokesperson
Drumheller Institution
Correctional Service of Canada
(403) 823-5101