July 30, 2010

NDP PUTTING PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK BY NOT REPORTING ACCIDENTAL RELEASES: GOERTZEN

Upward trend in prisoners accidentally being freed in Manitoba: Goertzen

In light of the sixth accidental release from a provincial jail this year, Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are calling on the province to implement a reporting procedure to alert the public when a criminal is accidentally released and to examine the system to determine if there are significant problems that need addressing.  

“There has been a real upward swing in accidental releases from our provincial correctional facilities, which could be indicative of overcrowded jails, overworked corrections staff, inadequate security measures, or all three,” said PC Justice Critic Kelvin Goertzen. “The trend definitely indicates a jail system that is over-stressed.” 

On Wednesday, Brian Moran walked away from the Headingley jail while awaiting trial for a shooting. He is now wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after accidentally being given his walking papers. The public was not notified.  

"Information should be reported. We need find out what happened and why it happened," Goertzen said.  

Earlier this year, Manitoba Progressive Conservatives obtained information through an access to information request that fourteen Manitoba prisoners have been released from jail by mistake since the beginning of 2007. 

There have been six accidental releases in 2010 so far, which is identical to the number of accidental releases for all of 2009. In 2008, there were two, and in 2007, there were three accidental releases.