Image: Canadian Press / Abbotsford Police investigators are looking into an assault that occurred over the weekend at a prison near the University of the Fraser Valley. According to a statement dated Tuesday, October 25, Correctional Service Canada says an inmate was hospitalized after being assaulted at Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal prison in Abbotsford.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford

Inmate hospitalized after assault at Matsqui federal prison in Abbotsford

Oct 25, 2023 | 12:00 PM

ABBOTSFORD — Abbotsford Police investigators are looking into an assault that occurred over the weekend at a prison near the University of the Fraser Valley.

According to a statement dated Tuesday, October 25, Correctional Service Canada says an inmate was hospitalized after being assaulted at Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal prison in Abbotsford.

The injured inmate was evaluated by staff members and transported to an outside hospital to receive treatment.

The Abbotsford Police and the institution are presently investigating the incident.

The assailants have been identified and the appropriate actions have been taken. Consistent with prior news releases, correctional authorities have not indicated what those actions entail.

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No staff members or other inmates were injured during this incident.

The safety and security of institutions, their staff, and the public remains the highest priority in the operations of the federal correctional system.

In order to improve practices aimed at preventing this type of incident, the Correctional Service of Canada says it will review the circumstances of the incident and take the appropriate measures.

In late April 2023, Abbotsford PD officers responded to Matsqui after four inmates were assaulted, including some that were stabbed. Police said they found four inmates with injuries. Abbotsford Fire Rescue personnel were joined by members from the BC Ambulance Service in treating the four inmates. It’s not clear how many inmates were stabbed. Police say the injuries were considered serious but not life-threatening.