Correctional Service of Canada: Lockdown at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Aug. 5, 2011) - On Thursday, August 4, 2011, at approximately 11:50 p.m. Saskatchewan Penitentiary was placed on lockdown following an assault on three inmates.

At approximately 10:00 p.m. correctional staff responded to an incident where three inmates had been assaulted. The victims were taken to outside hospital for assessment and treatment and were later returned to the institution.

The RCMP were contacted and are assisting in the investigation of the incident. Saskatchewan Penitentiary's general population is currently locked down to facilitate the investigation and will re-open to normal routine once the Warden is satisfied that it is safe to do so. The lockdown and investigation are being conducted to ensure the continued safety of the public, staff and inmates.

Visits for medium-security inmates have been cancelled until further notice. Visits for maximum-security inmates remain unaffected.

Ensuring the safety and security of institutions, staff, and the public remains the highest priority in the operations of the federal correctional system. Saskatchewan Penitentiary is a federal institution located one kilometre west of Prince Albert, SK, and currently accommodates 552 medium-security and 163 maximum-security inmates.