Escapes from secure custody on the rise in Saskatchewan

There have been 14 escapes from youth and adult secure custody in 2016, compared withsix combined escapes in the last three years.

"One escape is too many. We want to see these numbers come down. We want people to know they can have confidence in us to make sure these individuals are staying within the walls of our facilities," said Drew Wilby spokesperson for the ministry of justice.

There have been eight youthescapesthis year, compared to none in 2014 and 2015. Those escapes came in four different events.

There have been six adult escapes from the province's four correctional centres. There were three adult escapes in all of 2015.

Of the adult escapes this year,four escapeswerefrom the Saskatoon facility.

"We're looking at the infrastructure.Is the fence there strong enough? Does some work need to be done?We've looked at perimeter security. Some of the specifics, I can't provide unfortunatelyalthough I'd like to, because it could give someone else an idea of how to get out,"saidWilby.

3 escapes in 9 days: not all province's responsibility

• On Sept. 24, 34-year-old Travis Funk escaped the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. He is still at large.
• On Sept. 28, a26-year-old man escaped during a court appearance in TurnorLake, Sask. He was recaptured that evening. His escape is not factored into the secure custody statistics.
• On Sept. 30, a convicted murdererRoger JosephGillet, 64,escaped from theSaskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert, Sask. Gillet was in minimum security at the federal facility, which is not provincial jurisdiction. He is still at large.

Escapes from court sheriffs

According to the province,between Jan. 1,2010 and Oct. 1, 2016 there have been seven escapes from the custody of court sheriffs in Saskatchewan. Of thatseven, two have happened this year.

Corrections review underway

The province is undergoing a review of its adultcorrectional facilities and procedures.

It includescontraband in facilities both how it isbeing brought in and how it can be manufactured. It also includesmedicalservices, in regards to deaths in custody and alsosecurity involving prisoners being escorted to hospital.

It was just time to do that look with all of these incidents happening. You come to a point where make a decision that you need to do a holistic look at your operations.- Drew Wilby

Escapes are also part of the review.

"It was just time to do that look with all of these incidents happening. You come to a point where make a decision that you need to do a holistic look at your operations. Our custody folks decided it was time," Wilby said.

Wilby expects the reviewto be completed and results, where possible, released to the public in the next few months.

Escape reviews also ongoing

In addition, two high-profile escapes are also being reviewed.

On March30,BraidyVermette was being transported to hospital from the Prince Albert jailto get treatment for a cut on his elbow. In the hospital parking lot, two assailants wearing masks attacked the guards with bear spray and pulled out a gun, according to police.

Vermette, who was later recaptured, took off with the men.

• Braidy Vermette escaped the custody of Prince Albert jail guards during a hospital transfer

The other incident under reviewhappened on July 21.A "dangerous" young offender escaped lawful custody.

• 'Dangerous' young Sask. offender located, charged

The youthwas attending a family funeral on the Red Pheasant First Nation south of North Battleford, Sask., when he escaped.He was under the supervision of two youth corrections officers at the time of his escape.The youthwas able to leave the site of thefuneraland flee into the community. He was arrested a week later.

Wilby said the province will share what it can with the public when those reviews are complete, which is expected by the end of 2016.