Short-lived jail break at Agassiz Youth Centre
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/05/2020 (1417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Five inmates at the Agassiz Youth Centre briefly escaped Friday, after hitting a guard with a shovel and digging out under the perimeter fence.
Corrections officers at the Portage la Prairie correctional facility alerted the RCMP to the jail break attempt around 6:30 p.m.
According to the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union — which represents officers in the provincial corrections system — one of the inmates struck a guard on the head with a shovel while working outdoors on a plot of land at the facility.
The inmate then used the shovel to clear enough dirt from under the perimeter fence to make his escape and was followed out by four others. A sixth young offender attempted to flee but was caught inside the fence by corrections officers after the injured guard called for help, police said Monday.
The other five fled on foot into an open field.
Manitoba RCMP said the surrounding area was immediately contained by police.
The Mounties used an aerial drone and the canine unit to track down the five youth, who were arrested within 90 minutes. The guard was taken to hospital, assessed and has since been released, the MGEU said.
MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky said the union is hearing from corrections officers who have noted an increase in violent behaviour within facilities.
“This was a concerning incident that underlines the dangers and challenges of working in a jail, even in a youth facility,” Gawronsky said. “We know several of the inmates had been convicted of serious offences, including one who was in on a murder charge.
“This is the kind of ever-present danger these officers see each day keeping Manitobans safe.”
Two of the inmates were sent to the Manitoba Youth Centre in Winnipeg, while two returned to Agassiz, the MGEU stated. Another was sent to the Winnipeg Remand Centre to be processed as an adult.
A spokesman for the provincial government said more information would be shared Tuesday.
RCMP have laid charges of escape lawful custody and prison breach against five male youths between the ages of 15 and 18. The Portage la Prairie RCMP detachment continues to investigate.
