News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COWANSVILLE, QC, February 9, 2005 - On February 7, 2005, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Richard Bélanger, an inmate at Cowansville Institution, a medium security federal penitentiary, succumbed to a lengthy illness while hospitalized at the Health Centre of the Archambault Institution. The inmate's family has been notified.

Richard Bélanger, aged 42, had been serving a four-year, seven-month sentence since January 29, 2002, for armed assault, theft and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

A coroner's inquest will be held and the Correctional Service of Canada will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives are asked to contact:

Lucette L'Espérance
Acting Assistant Warden, Management Services
(450) 263-3073, extension 2102