Abbotsford Police Jail Privatized, Guards Fired
May 11, 2004
Seven guards at the Abbotsford Police department's lock-up have been fired and will be replaced by employees of the private company Securitas, which already supplies guards for the New Westminster Police department's jail. Civilian employees in the Abbotsford Police department are "represented" by the Teamsters union.
Matsqui Prison Repeatedly Locked Down
May 10, 2004
The medium security Matsqui Institution has been locked down again on May 10th, five days after another lockdown ended. Officials say inmates were locked in their cells to facilitate a search for drugs and knives. According to those in charge, Matsqui was locked-down on May 3rd after three home-made knives were found. During a follow-up search, more knives, drugs, drug paraphernalia and home brew were discovered. The prison institution currently houses 321 male inmates.
Hunger Strike at RRAC Prison near Abbotsford
May 10, 2004
Most inmates have ended a hunger strike at the Regional Reception and Assessment Centre (RRAC) after a meeting with Warden John Costello. The prisoners raised several complaints regarding the lack of educational material and support programs in the institution , and the no-smoking policy. They began a hunger strike on May 7th. The Warden says that the no-smoking policy will be upheld, but he will review the other demands. One prisoner is continuing his hunger strike. The RRAC is the receiving unit for all newly-sentenced federal inmates in British Columbia and the Yukon. Each inmate stays at the centre for 70 days and there are 92 inmates currently being held there.
Inmates Escape From Ferndale Institution
May 8, 2004
Two prisoners have escaped from the federal Ferndale Institution in Mission in less than a week. On May 5th, a prisoner escaped while on an escorted "temporary absence" from the prison. The latest inmate's escape wasn't noticed by prison officials until a headcount on May 7th.
Prisoners Trash Bus on Ferry
May 5, 2004
Inmates kicked out nearly all the windows of a prison-transport bus and set fire to a seat while aboard a ferry sailing from the mainland to Vancouver Island. They were being transferred from the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre to the Vancouver Island prison on Wilkinson Road. The ferry crew used hoses to put out the small fire and sealed off the area around the bus. A police Emergency Response Team in full gear was waiting for the rebel prisoners when they arrived on the island.