By paNOW Staff

Sask. Pen on lockdown after tensions ‘escalated’

Dec 14, 2016 | 8:32 PM

A developing incident has put the Saskatchewan Penitentiary into lockdown. 

According to a release from Correctional Service Canada, a “major disturbance” forced a lockdown in the medium security unit at 1 p.m., Dec. 14.

“It was a flat-out riot,” James Bloomfield of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers said. “There are serious injuries and several inmates at outside hospitals right now.

“There’s been no staff hurt. Control has been gained at the institution. We’re working through how we’re going to be operating from here going forward.”

Bloomfield said tensions at the prison had been building “for a short period of time. It escalated today, severely.”

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The lockdown was extended to the maximum security unit at 3:30 p.m. as a “precautionary measure.” 

Visiting hours have been suspended. 

“It’s still locked down,” Jeff Campbell, spokesman for the Correctional Service of Canada, said late Wednesday.

“It’s been the scene of a major disturbance, so as I say, we’re locked down in the interests, of course, of safety and security at the institution for the staff and inmates and the general public as well.”

He said to his knowledge, the involved prisoners had been confined to their cells.

“A lockdown takes place when there’s a clear and substantial danger to safety and security at an institution,” Campbell said. “Normal operations are suspended for the moment but they’re going to be resumed as soon as it’s considered safe to do that.”

As of this time, the lockdown is still in effect. 

–With files from the Canadian Press.

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