Image: Canadian Press / Correctional Service Canada says an inmate who had been serving a four-year sentence has died in custody at Pacific Institution in Abbotsford. Douglas Gordon Martin had been serving a sentence of 4 years, 2 months and 23 days for dangerous operation of conveyance (x2), operation while prohibited (x2), and flight from peace officer.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Inmate dies at Abbotsford prison

Man who fled from police and was convicted dies at Abbotsford prison

Jul 20, 2023 | 8:30 AM

ABBOTSFORD — A man who had been serving a four-year sentence involving flight from a peace officer and other charges has died in custody at an Abbotsford prison.

According to a news release dated Monday, July 17, Douglas Gordon Martin, an inmate at Pacific Institution, died while in custody on July 14.

At the time of death, the inmate had been serving a sentence of four years, two months and 23 days for dangerous operation of conveyance, operation while prohibited, and flight from peace officer.

His prison sentence began on October 23, 2020.

As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, Correctional Service Canada says it will review the circumstances. CSC policy requires that the police and the coroner be notified.

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Martin’s next of kin have been notified.

Martin’s actions during a high-risk police incident three years ago led to his prison sentence.

On August 18, 2020, at approximately 11:25 p.m., a District 3 General patrol unit observed a stolen truck in the area of McGregor Street and Manitoba Avenue in Winnipeg. While attempting to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, starting a short traffic pursuit. With the assistance of AIR1, the suspect and vehicle were located a short time later in the 300 block of Alfred Avenue.

Douglas Gordon Martin, then 32 years old of Winnipeg, had been charged with possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000, flight while pursued by police, operation of a conveyance while prohibited by order and dangerous operation of a conveyance.

Pacific Institution is a multi-level complex located about 80 kilometres east of Vancouver in the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia. Pacific Institution is co-located on the Federal Reserve land housing the Matsqui Complex with Matsqui Medium Security Institution, Fraser Valley Institution for Women, the Community Corrections Administration Office and the Regional Supply Depot.

In 1966, Pacific began as the Matsqui Women’s Satellite Unit for female drug addicts. In May 1972, the addiction treatment facility was replaced with the Regional Psychiatric Centre. Later, it was renamed as the Regional Health Centre and then Regional Treatment Centre (RTC). This became the first institution in North America to achieve full accreditation as a hospital.

Pacific Institution consists of living units organized around a central courtyard with a yard post in the centre. It has a rated capacity of 509.

Mike.VandenBosch@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @MikeFVToday