2nd inmate hunger strike this month ends at Regina jail

Inmates at the Regina Correctional Centre were again on a hunger strike Thursday night.

This came after 15 inmates at the prison protested earlier in March.

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A Government of Saskatchewan spokesperson confirmed in an e-mail statement that the strike took place, but could not confirm the number of inmates participating or a complete list of demands.

The spokesperson later followed up to say the strike was averted due to "ongoing discussions between correctional staff and inmates."

Officials previously made commitments to prisoners including the provision of microwaves and a smudging area.

The microwaves proved incompatible with wiring and caused breakers to blow.

"This is a temporary situation, and we are hopeful the electrical work needed to support the microwaves will be completed soon," reads the statement.

The smudging area is also not ready for prisoners because there are too many rocks in the compound. Prison staff have had trouble removingthe rocks because they are frozen to the ground.

Staff are working on a procedure to search prisoners before and after accessing the smudging area.