Escapes from secure custody on the rise in Saskatchewan
4 of 5 escapes from adult custody have been at Saskatoon Correctional Centre
There have been 14 escapes from youth and adult secure custody in 2016, compared with six combined escapes in the last three years.
"One escape is too many. We want to see these numbers come down. We want people to know they can have confidence in us to make sure these individuals are staying within the walls of our facilities," said Drew Wilby spokesperson for the ministry of justice.
There have been eight youth escapes this year, compared to none in 2014 and 2015. Those escapes came in four different events.
There have been six adult escapes from the province's four correctional centres. There were three adult escapes in all of 2015.
Of the adult escapes this year, four escapes were from the Saskatoon facility.
"We're looking at the infrastructure. Is the fence there strong enough? Does some work need to be done? We've looked at perimeter security. Some of the specifics, I can't provide unfortunately although I'd like to, because it could give someone else an idea of how to get out," said Wilby.
3 escapes in 9 days: not all province's responsibility
- On Sept. 24, 34-year-old Travis Funk escaped the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. He is still at large.
- On Sept. 28, a 26-year-old man escaped during a court appearance in Turnor Lake, Sask. He was recaptured that evening. His escape is not factored into the secure custody statistics.
- On Sept. 30, a convicted murderer Roger Joseph Gillet, 64, escaped from the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert, Sask. Gillet was in minimum security at the federal facility, which is not provincial jurisdiction. He is still at large.
Escapes from court sheriffs
According to the province, between Jan. 1, 2010 and Oct. 1, 2016 there have been seven escapes from the custody of court sheriffs in Saskatchewan. Of that seven, two have happened this year.
Corrections review underway
The province is undergoing a review of its adult correctional facilities and procedures.
It includes contraband in facilities— both how it is being brought in and how it can be manufactured. It also includes medical services, in regards to deaths in custody and also security involving prisoners being escorted to hospital.
It was just time to do that look with all of these incidents happening. You come to a point where make a decision that you need to do a holistic look at your operations.- Drew Wilby
Escapes are also part of the review.
"It was just time to do that look with all of these incidents happening. You come to a point where make a decision that you need to do a holistic look at your operations. Our custody folks decided it was time," Wilby said.
Wilby expects the review to be completed and results, where possible, released to the public in the next few months.
Escape reviews also ongoing
In addition, two high-profile escapes are also being reviewed.
On March 30, Braidy Vermette was being transported to hospital from the Prince Albert jail to get treatment for a cut on his elbow. In the hospital parking lot, two assailants wearing masks attacked the guards with bear spray and pulled out a gun, according to police.
Vermette, who was later recaptured, took off with the men.
The other incident under review happened on July 21. A "dangerous" young offender escaped lawful custody.
The youth was attending a family funeral on the Red Pheasant First Nation south of North Battleford, Sask., when he escaped. He was under the supervision of two youth corrections officers at the time of his escape. The youth was able to leave the site of the funeral and flee into the community. He was arrested a week later.
Wilby said the province will share what it can with the public when those reviews are complete, which is expected by the end of 2016.