By Taylor MacPherson

Sask. Pen under control after deadly riot causes extensive damage

Dec 15, 2016 | 12:04 PM

Staff is back in control of the Saskatchewan Penitentiary less than 24 hours after a deadly riot involving 185 inmates put the prison into lockdown and caused significant damage to the medium-security unit.

Corrections spokesperson Jeff Campbell believed the riot began when three prisoners were discovered by staff suffering from injuries which appeared to have been caused by other inmates. All three were taken to hospital, where Jason Leonard Bird, 43, was pronounced dead. From there, the situation escalated quickly.

“They refused to lock up. Some of them barricaded themselves on their ranges and set some fires,” he said.

Campbell could not specify what type of injuries were found, but said staff responded with force. Officers discharged firearms during their efforts to regain control of the unit, causing injuries to six inmates which Campbell said are not life-threatening. Five of the injured inmates were taken to outside hospitals.

Campbell said windows were smashed and cell contents damaged throughout the unit, but was unable to confirm reports of extensive flooding.

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He added penitentiary staff are reviewing the extent of the damage, and will conduct “a full review into the cause of the riots and our response.”

No staff members were injured as a result of the riot, but one guard was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. Although staff is back in control, the facility remains on lockdown until further notice, with all visitations cancelled.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews