By Taylor MacPherson

Corrections investigating escape, inmate facing new charges

Oct 11, 2016 | 11:58 AM

An escaped convict was moved to a higher security section of the Saskatchewan Penitentiary and charged with escape from lawful custody and theft of a motor vehicle following a brief bid for freedom and four-day pursuit.

Roger Joseph Gillet, 64, is currently residing in the Prince Albert penitentiary’s medium security unit after walking away from the unfenced minimum security section of the prison on Sept. 30. Gillet was serving an indeterminate sentence for second-degree murder, forcible confinement, robbery, prison breach and escaping lawful custody.

Gillet was discovered missing during the 10 a.m. count on the morning of Sept. 30, and evaded RCMP and police for four days before being recaptured by RCMP Oct. 4.

Saskatchewan Penitentiary Deputy Warden Lee Anne Skene told paNOW an investigation is ongoing, but no policies or procedures at the facility were changed to prevent a reoccurrence of the escape.

According to Skene, no temporary measures or restrictions were imposed, and Gillet’s escape and recapture did not impact the lives of the other inmates.

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Jeff Campbell, a spokesperson for Correctional Service Canada, said any policy changes will have to wait until the official review is completed.

“The review is ongoing in terms of the facts around the escape,” Campbell said. “We look at all the available information around the circumstances associated with an escape and determine if there’s any requirements for adjustments from our operational side.”

According to Campbell, it is unlikely the results of the investigation or subsequent changes to policy will be made public. Neither Campbell nor Skene could comment on when the investigation is likely to conclude.

Gillet will appear before a Provincial Court in Prince Albert Oct. 19.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca