Triple killer assaulted in prison for second time
CALGARY For the second time in three weeks, notorious killer Douglas Garland has been attacked by prisoners, this time in the Edmonton prison where he is serving his 75-year sentence.
Garland, who was convicted last month in the slayings of five-year-old Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes, was found injured in his cell in Edmonton’s maximum security institution Monday night.
He had just transferred to the prison from Calgary’s remand centre to serve his sentence.
Alberta Health Services said it was called to the prison about 9:30 p.m. Monday and transported a man in stable condition to hospital.
The day after his sentencing Feb. 17, the 57-year-old killer was attacked by four inmates at the Calgary Remand Centre. Four men were charged in the assault.
Garland’s defence lawyer, Kim Ross, said given the previous attack, federal corrections officials should have been aware his client may be a target.
“If this is a case where the proper procedures and precautions weren’t taken, this is something that’s going to have to be looked into,” Ross said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s legal recourse as a result of this.”
Correctional Services Canada spokeswoman Kelly Dae Dash confirmed the federal agency is investigating an assault at the prison but declined to give any specifics about the victim or the nature of the attack.
A release from the agency said an inmate was found after being assaulted and soon transferred to an outside hospital. Both Edmonton police and prison officials are investigating. No other inmates or staff were hurt
“The safety and security of institutions, their staff and the public remains the highest priority in the operations of the federal correctional system,” the release said.
Ross said, “I know he’s not going to win any popularity contests, but at the end of the day he deserves, and Canada Corrections is now tasked, with his protection and they are under obligation to make sure he remains safe in all aspects.”