Saskatoon jail in lockdown, 5 inmates injured in less than a week
Alicia Bridges | CBC News | Posted: August 27, 2019 7:47 PM | Last Updated: August 27, 2019
One of the injured is among 8 people charged in connection with Tiki Laverdiere killing
Five inmates have been injured in less than a week at the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre. It's currently in lockdown.
Brent Checkosis, one of eight people charged in relation to the death of Edmonton woman Tiki Laverdiere, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being stabbed on Thursday.
Two men, Kihiw Jason George Fourstar, 19, and Jesse Edward Philip McKenzie, 22, are charged with aggravated assault and possession of a "home-made knife" for a dangerous purpose over what police described as a "fight between inmates."
Saskatoon police said they cannot comment on whether the death of Rio Checkosis, a 22-year-old killed in Saskatoon on Sunday, is linked to the stabbing of Brent Checkosis. A family member said the two men are first cousins but they do not think the incidents are related.
"It is still in the early stages of the investigation so currently we aren't able to discuss the details of the case," said police in a written statement.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Corrections confirmed four more inmates had been injured in two fights at the jail on Monday.
Ministry spokesperson Drew Wilby said one incident occurred in the yard and another happened in one of the cells.
He said he cannot comment on whether it has increased protections for other inmates as a result of the recent incidents.
"It would not be appropriate to provide details pertaining [to] the housing of specific inmates as that could jeopardize their safety as well as the safety of others," said Wilby.
He said "numerous considerations" go into where inmates are housed at provincial correctional centres, including compatibility with other inmates and possible gang affiliations.
"Managing inmate compatibility takes significant work at the facility level and our staff should be commended for the work they do," said Wilby.
He said the incidents will be referred to the Saskatoon Police Service, but the police service said it was not called to respond to any incidents at the jail on Monday.
The Ministry said it will conduct internal reviews to determine if policy and protocols were followed and if they need to be changed going forward.
It did not release information about the circumstances of the stabbing of Checkosis, or where in the jail it occurred.