Charges laid in fatal and damaging riot at Saskatchewan penitentiary

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Criminal charges have now been laid against 14 men in a deadly riot at Saskatchewan Penitentiary last year.

The 14 range in age between 19 and 35 years old.

Charges include rioting while wearing a mask, wearing a disguise with intent, mischief over $5,000 and obstruction of justice.

Upwards of 200 inmates caused extensive damage last December in the medium-security wing of the federal institution in Prince Albert.

Correctional Service Canada said at the time that three inmates were assaulted by the rioters and 43-year-old prisoner Jason Leonard Bird died.

Mounties say no charges have yet been laid in Bird’s death.

Six other inmates suffered non-life-threatening injuries when the penitentiary’s emergency response team opened fire with shotguns while storming the prisoners’ barricades to end the disturbance.

A representative with the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers said prior to the violence, inmates were dissatisfied with the quality and portion size of food being served to them.

The representative said fires were set, windows were smashed and parts of the institution were flooded during the riot.

The department said it would review the cause of the riot and look at making any necessary changes to its policies and procedures.