Image: Mierau / An inmate who was serving a 19-year prison sentence for multiple crimes, including criminal harassment and uttering nearly a dozen threats to cause death or harm, has died while in custody at a prison in Agassiz.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Inmate dies at Agassiz prison

Inmate serving 19-year jail term for criminal harassment, uttering threats nearly a dozen times dies at Agassiz prison

Jul 29, 2024 | 8:02 AM

AGASSIZ — An inmate who was serving a 19-year prison sentence for multiple crimes, including criminal harassment and uttering nearly a dozen threats to cause death or harm, has died while in custody at a prison in Agassiz.

Correctional Service Canada says Dennis James Harley died Sunday, July 18 while in custody at Kent Institution, a maximum security federal prison in Agassiz.

At the time of his death, Harley had been serving a sentence of 19 years for criminal harassment (x2), identity fraud with intention to avoid arrest, public mischief – making false statement, uttering threat to cause death/harm (x10), and uttering threat to destroy property, since June 2, 2010.

CSC says it will review the circumstances around Harley’s death, as in all cases involving the death of a prisoner. CSC has notified local police and B.C. Coroners Service.