News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTRABAND SUBSTANCES DISCOVERED AT COWANSVILLE INSTITUTION

COWANSVILLE, September 16, 2009 – On September 14, 2009, through the vigilance of correctional staff and the dog handler, contraband substances were found on an inmate at Cowansville Institution, a medium security federal penitentiary, consisting of 28.4 g of hashish, 5.7 g of 80.6 g of marijuana and 6 g of tobacco. The institutional value of the substances is estimated at $3,500.

CSC has a number of tools available to control the flow of drugs into our institutions. These include searches of offenders, visitors, buildings and cells, as well as the use of ion scanners and drug dogs.

As part of its Transformation Agenda, CSC is taking the steps necessary to prevent contraband from being brought into institutions and to provide a safe environment by encouraging inmates to take responsibility for achieving the objectives of their correctional plans. CSC is also working in partnership with police forces to prosecute outside violators and inmates who attempt to bring contraband into institutions.

A toll free number (1 866 220 7782) is available for reporting any pressure exerted on a visitor by other visitors and/or inmates involved in drug trafficking, intimidation, assault or loansharking. This information is kept confidential.

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For more information:

Lucette L'Espérance
Assistant Warden
Cowansville Institution
450-263-3073, ext. 2102