Lockdown and search at Collins Bay Institution – Medium-security unit

February 20, 2020 –Kingston, Ontario– Correctional Service Canada

On February 18, 2020, at about 9:30 a.m., a lockdown was put in place in the medium-security unit at Collins Bay Institution to allow staff to conduct a search of the institution following an inmate assault.

The injured inmate was evaluated by staff members and transported to an outside hospital to receive treatment. The inmate has since returned to the institution. No staff members or other inmates were injured during this incident.

The Ontario Provincial Police-led Joint Forces Penitentiary Squad and the institution are presently investigating the incident.

The search was ordered in the medium-security unit to ensure the safety and security of the institution, its staff and inmates. Visits have been suspended until the search is completed. Normal operations will resume as soon as it is considered safe to do so.

In order to improve practices aimed at preventing this type of incident, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will continue to review the circumstances surrounding this incident and take the appropriate measures.

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