News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COWANSVILLE, QC, February 7, 2006 - On February 6, 2006, at about 4:00 p.m., while on an escorted temporary absence for medical reasons at the Hôtel Dieu Hospital in Sherbrooke, an inmate from Cowansville Institution, Richard Cardinal Tremblay, attempted to escape following his treatment by attacking one of the escort officers and trying to take his weapon from him. The hospital's security officers quickly intervened to support the escort staff members and assisted them in gaining control of the inmate. The escort officer suffered injuries to the face and was given appropriate care. He was later able to leave the hospital.

Sherbrooke police also arrived at the scene, and three officers from Cowansville Institution were sent to take charge of the inmate and escort him to the penitentiary.

Since April 26, 2004, Richard Cardinal Tremblay has been serving a sentence of nine years, five months and nine days for forcible confinement, use of a weapon and robbery.

The Correctional Service of Canada will conduct an examination into the facts to determine the circumstances surrounding this event.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Lucette l'Espérance
Acting Assistant Warden, Management Services
(450) 263 3073, ext. 2102