Agassiz prison staff intercept over $138,000 in drugs, contraband

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.

CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutions.

The toll-free number, 1‑866‑780‑3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, a union leader says this same prison is experiencing an “insane” drug problem, with drones making multiple deliveries to prisoners each day.

John Randle, regional president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, says staff at Mountain Institution in Agassiz are exhausted from handling the “non-stop” drone drops and overdoses among inmates.

The union says in a statement that officers seized almost 200 grams of crystal meth and other drugs at the prison on Wednesday.

It also says there have been two fatal overdoses in the prison since mid-October.

Randle says the planned expansion of a needle exchange program to facilities that he says includes medium-security Mountain Institution risks worsening the problem.

Correctional Service Canada says on its website it has been rolling out the needle exchange program since 2018 and it’s currently being used at nine federal facilities.

The Canadian Press contributed to this story.

by Mike Vanden Bosch and the Canadian Press

Agassiz prison staff intercept over $138,000 in drugs, contraband

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