Sask. NDP calls for review after multiple inmates released in error

She pointed to the case of woman who was reported unlawfully at large from a unit at the Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford Integrated Correctional Facility on March 19, 2026 due to an administrative error. The Ministry of Public Safety issued a press release three months later on June 19 saying she had been apprehended.

Sarauer said the delay in communicating the information to the public and, in some instances, the complete lack of disclosure, exacerbate concerns.

“It appears that two inmate releases weren’t even disclosed to the public at all. That is completely unacceptable.”

The other reported incidents occurred in March and in June.

Response from government

In a statement provided to paNOW, Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said administrative errors resulting in an inmate being released in error from a provincial correctional facility are rare, accounting for less than 0.1 per cent of all releases.

“While these incidents are uncommon, any release from custody in error is taken seriously. When a release from custody in error occurs, the Ministry of Community Safety works closely with policing agencies to locate the individual, assess any potential risk to public safety, and return them to custody as soon as possible,” he said.

According to statistics provided to paNOW by the government, 20 inmates were released in error from 2022 to 2025. The highest number was in 2024, when seven such incidents occurred.

Weger said there is already a robust review process in place for releases in error. An interagency release committee, consisting of representatives from custody, community corrections, courts, deputy sheriffs, police and prosecutions, reviews all incidents and provides advice on how to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future.

“The findings and advice are shared with all parties,” he said.

Recent improvements have included changes in policy like the implementation of a “do not release” information package for agencies transporting inmates, and improvements to interagency communication.

“Public safety is always the primary consideration when determining whether a public notification is released. The Ministry of Community Safety’s policy is to notify the public when an individual released in error from a secure provincial correctional facility is assessed as posing a potential risk to public safety,” he said.

With respect to this year’s five releases in error, Weger said public notifications were provided in four cases; three by the Ministry of Community Safety and one by the police of jurisdiction.

“The individual in the fifth case turned themselves in the day of release upon being notified of the error, so no media release was required,” he said, adding police services may also issue a media release independently or in conjunction with the ministry.

While the NDP is calling for a public review and greater disclosure of mistaken releases, the government maintains existing review processes are sufficient.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

by Nigel Maxwell

Sask. NDP calls for review after multiple inmates released in error

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