PUBLIC NOTIFICATION TO BE QUICKER

Effective immediately, if there is an escape from any provincial correctional centre, the public will be notified immediately through the media.

"Safety and security are top priorities for this Government," said Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, Darryl Hickie. "People have the right to know if offenders are unlawfully at large, whether they are potentially dangerous or not."

The new policy will require notification to the media be completed in the shortest time possible. The information released at that time would likely be the location of the correctional centre where the escape happened, the number of persons who had escaped, as well as whether they are considered dangerous. Additional information would be released as it becomes available.

This policy does not replace the current practice of the RCMP or other police services that keep the public up to date on the investigation. It merely adds another step to the current process to ensure that the media is aware of the escape as soon as possible.

"This policy change is a small step that could make a big difference," Hickie said.

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For more information, contact:

Rosann Semchuk
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0980
Email: rosann.semchuk@gov.sk.ca