No reprimands after jail escape
Department of Justice says review found proper procedures followed
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, October 14, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
No staff at the North Slave Correctional Centre will face punishment in the aftermath of the escape of an inmate from the facility in August.
This is due to the fact a review found procedures were properly followed, the Department of Justice says.
"The report determined that all staff acted according to procedures and processes," Department of Justice spokesperson Sue Glowach wrote in an e-mail about the findings of the internal review.
The department was asked if anyone would be reprimanded or if anyone would be fired or hired as a result of the escape.
"There will be no changes to these as a result of this incident," she wrote.
The department, in a statement to Yellowknifer last week, confirmed the escape review has been completed.
It isn't releasing the full report citing security concerns. Glowach stated MLAs will be able to examine the review report, which is something several have sought to do.
The Union of Northern Workers, which represents unionized corrections officers, isn't aware of any disciplined staff.
"Unfortunately the union has not been provided information about the escape from the employer," Todd Parsons, president of the UNW, stated in an e-mail. "We have not been provided the GNWT report. Because there have been only rumours about the situation to date, the union is unable to offer comment. The union is not aware of any employees that have been disciplined."
Yellowknifer sent the justice department a list of questions about seeking clarifications about its statement but was not able to include those answers in a previous story this week.
The department opted not to answer many of the questions, citing security concerns. For instance, the department didn't answer a question about whether King's escape was actually caught on camera. Asked if cameras are being added, the department didn't provide a direct answer but stated the review recommended changes to physical security and "changes to enhance" security.
"We are not able to address security specifics at the facility. This refers to any questions on the functions of the designated security equipment," Glowach stated.
The review included interviews, an examination of reports, logs and surveillance video footage.
The justice minister has said King used a handrail to climb up onto the roof of the jail.
He was the first to escape from the facility since it was built 12 years ago.
He was in custody awaiting future court appearances on charges of murder and attempted murder.
He escaped from the jail Aug. 10 and was caught Aug. 13 in a residence on Sissons Court.
