News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORT-CARTIER, QC, October 29, 2004 - On October 29, 2004, around 1:40 p.m., Sy Tuan Tran, an inmate at Port-Cartier Institution, a maximum-security federal penitentiary, was found hanging in his cell during a range walk by correctional officers.

Institutional staff tried to resuscitate the inmate until paramedics arrived. The inmate was transferred to an outside health centre where a doctor pronounced him dead.

Sy Tuan Tran, 27 years of age, had been serving a life sentence for first-degree murder since March 31, 1999.

The Correctional Service of Canada will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

The Sûreté du Québec and the coroner were called to the scene to examine the facts surrounding the death and to take the necessary measures.

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For further information, media representatives are asked to contact:

Rosaire Parent
Assistant Warden, Management Services
(418) 766-7070, ext. 2707