News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DONNACONA, Quebec, August 31, 2005 - At about 1:10 p.m., during a security round, Jean-Guy Pontbriand, an inmate in Donnacona Institution, a federal maximum-security institution, was found hanging in his cell. Efforts to resuscitate him were immediately undertaken by the staff present. He was then transported to an area hospital (CHUL), where he was pronounced dead. The immediate family was informed.

Thirty-seven years old at the time of his death, Jean-Guy Pontbriand had been serving a life sentence since October 31, 2001, for first degree murder, attempted murder and drug trafficking.

The Sûreté du Québec was notified. The Correctional Service of Canada and the Coroner will conduct an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

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For further information, media representatives are asked to contact:

Stéphane Jaillet,
Assistant Warden
Management Services
(418) 285-2455, ext. 2110