By Taylor MacPherson

More inmates charged in connection with deadly 2016 riot

Sep 19, 2017 | 5:00 PM

A total of fourteen men have now been charged criminally in connection with a 2016 riot at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert.

The riot, which occurred Dec. 14 of last year, involved more than 180 inmates. One inmate, 43-year-old Jason Leonard Bird, was killed during the riot and two other inmates were injured after they were allegedly assaulted by the rioters. Six prisoners were injured by gunfire when the facility’s emergency response team retook the prison’s medium-security unit.

Charges have now been laid against fourteen men for their participation in the riot, according to information provided by the RCMP. The alleged rioters range in age from 19 to 35, and are variously charged with participating in a riot, obstructing justice, rioting while wearing a mask, wearing a disguise with intent and criminal mischief over $5,000.

The alleged rioters are Dylan Ahenakew, 22, Donavon Assiniboine, 22, Skylar Alexson, 24, Brett Babisky, 28, Lance Bear, 29, Julius Beardy, 26, Vernon Bigsky, 31, Taryn Cote, 23, William Fick, 28, Wesley Hassleberger-Wright, 20, John Linklater, 19, Josh McLaren, 27, Scott Nelson, 32 and Larry Windigo, 35.

Four of the inmates – Beardy, Linklater, McLaren and Windigo – have already made their first appearances in Prince Albert Provincial Court last week, appearing over video link from various federal institutions. All four cases were adjourned until next month to allow the federal prisoners time to secure lawyers.

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RCMP said their investigation into the death of Jason Bird is still ongoing, and no assault or homicide charges have yet been laid.

According to a representative from the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, the riot was incited by inmates who were unhappy with the food quality and portion sizes at the penitentiary. Correctional Service Canada has since updated their food service policies to include inmates in food quality oversight, and extra portions are now prepared to allow for spillage.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews