prison

James Lee Busch and Zachary Armitage escaped from the William Head institution on July 7, 2019 and were subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of martin Payne of Metchosin. A civil case launched by Payne’s daughters blames the correctional system for their escape and the death of their father. (Correctional Service of Canada/Facebook)

Daughters suing prison system over B.C. man’s death following prison break

Civil suit alleges Correctional Service of Canada staff failed repeatedly in death of Martin Payne

James Lee Busch and Zachary Armitage escaped from the William Head institution on July 7, 2019 and were subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of martin Payne of Metchosin. A civil case launched by Payne’s daughters blames the correctional system for their escape and the death of their father. (Correctional Service of Canada/Facebook)
FILE - WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, July 7, 2022. Closing arguments in Brittney Griner’s cannabis possession case in Russia are set for Thursday. That’s nearly six months after the American basketball star was arrested at a Moscow airport in a case that has reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russia diplomacy. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Russian judge sentences WNBA’s Brittney Griner to 9 years in prison

Griner convicted of possessing and smuggling cannabis oil into the country

FILE - WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, July 7, 2022. Closing arguments in Brittney Griner’s cannabis possession case in Russia are set for Thursday. That’s nearly six months after the American basketball star was arrested at a Moscow airport in a case that has reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russia diplomacy. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
Used needles are shown at a needle exchange in Miami, May 6, 2019. Despite pandemic slow-downs, Correctional Service Canada is still planning to expand the needle exchange programs currently offered at nine federal prisons, government officials say. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Lynne Sladky

Expansion of prison needle exchange programs going ahead despite pandemic delays

Program operating in nine Canadian prisons so far

Used needles are shown at a needle exchange in Miami, May 6, 2019. Despite pandemic slow-downs, Correctional Service Canada is still planning to expand the needle exchange programs currently offered at nine federal prisons, government officials say. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Lynne Sladky
A jail cell at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s Ombudsperson calls for oversight of municipal jails after detainee left screaming in pain

Currently no means of recourse for detainees mistreated by jail guards in RCMP-policed communities

A jail cell at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment. (Black Press Media file photo)
Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford (Abbotsford News file photo)

Over $280K in contraband seized at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford

Package located on July 5 contained drugs, drug paraphernalia and ‘communication devices’

Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford (Abbotsford News file photo)
The Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal men's prison, is seen in Abbotsford, B.C., on Thursday, October 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

28 inmates at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford test positive for COVID-19

In-person visits temporarily suspended

The Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal men's prison, is seen in Abbotsford, B.C., on Thursday, October 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Pacific Institution in Abbotsford. (Black Press file photo)

Man who killed 2 neighbours dies while serving time in Abbotsford

Leonard Landrick was serving life sentence at Pacific Institution

Pacific Institution in Abbotsford. (Black Press file photo)
Iris McNeil was murdered in 1997 by James Shortreed, who was recently denied in his request for temporary absences from William Head Institution in Metchosin, where he has been incarcerated for roughly 25 years. (Photo courtesy of the McNeil family)

Lower Mainland killer denied bid for temporary absences from Vancouver Island prison

Parole board finds James Shortreed’s absence plan insufficient; risk factors not addressed

Iris McNeil was murdered in 1997 by James Shortreed, who was recently denied in his request for temporary absences from William Head Institution in Metchosin, where he has been incarcerated for roughly 25 years. (Photo courtesy of the McNeil family)
Mountain Institution in Agassiz. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

59 inmates at Mountain Institution in Agassiz test positive for COVID-19

‘Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting throughout the site is continuing’

Mountain Institution in Agassiz. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The items include one Secure Digital (SD) card, five cell phones, and 418.3 grams of shatter (cannabis concentrate). The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $227,000. (Correctional Service of Canada)

$227,000 worth of contraband seized at Kent Institution in Agassiz

Cannabis concentrate known as ‘shatter’ plus cell phones were some of items seized

The items include one Secure Digital (SD) card, five cell phones, and 418.3 grams of shatter (cannabis concentrate). The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $227,000. (Correctional Service of Canada)
The Mission Correctional Institution in Mission, B.C. is pictured Tuesday, April 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward.

Mission Institution manager promoted shortly after investigation founded workplace harassment complaints

Fraser Valley corrections officers say abusive managers face no discipline from CSC

The Mission Correctional Institution in Mission, B.C. is pictured Tuesday, April 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward.
Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. (Abbotsford News file photo)

Hells Angels member dies while serving time in Abbotsford

Alan Knapczyk was at Matsqui Institution on 15-year sentence

Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Pacific Institution in Abbotsford. (Abbotsford News file photo)

Murderer and sexual assailant dies while housed at Pacific Institution in Abbotsford

William Roy Tame was serving indeterminate sentence for 1986 Calgary killing

Pacific Institution in Abbotsford. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Kent Institution - Pacific Region - CSC (CNW Group/Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN)).

Prison guards deserve PCR tests, COVID hazard pay, says union for Pacific Region officers

With more than 100 correctional officers currently infected, union calls for recognition of dangers

Kent Institution - Pacific Region - CSC (CNW Group/Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN)).
Pacific Institution is the second prison in Abbotsford to declare a COVID-19 outbreak . (Abbotsford News file photo)

Two Abbotsford prisons have total of 85 COVID-19 inmate cases

Pacific and Matsqui institutions each have more than 40 cases

Pacific Institution is the second prison in Abbotsford to declare a COVID-19 outbreak . (Abbotsford News file photo)
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. As of Jan. 19, 28 inmates have tested positive. (Abbotsford News file photo)

28 inmates at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford test positive for COVID-19

All in-person visits are temporarily suspended, says Correctional Service of Canada

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. As of Jan. 19, 28 inmates have tested positive. (Abbotsford News file photo)
A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg

Correctional Service settles human rights case for prisoners addicted to opioids

Settlement agreement was reached last month

A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg
Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. (Abbotsford News file photo)

More than $88K in drugs and other items seized at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford

Items discovered include methamphetamine, smart phone and accessories

Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford (Abbotsford News file photo)

Crystal meth worth $183K located at Abbotsford prison

Package containing the drugs seized Oct. 11 from Matsqui Institution

Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford (Abbotsford News file photo)
Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal men’s prison, is seen in Abbotsford on Oct. 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Over $20,000 in contraband seized at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford

Items seized include USB sticks and drugs

Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal men’s prison, is seen in Abbotsford on Oct. 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck