Inmate ODs, guard gets attacked on same day

Routine rounds by correctional staff at the Edmonton Remand Centre revealed an inmate overdose and an assaulted guard in separate instances Tuesday.

Staff found an unresponsive man in his cell Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General department sent Wednesday.

Medical staff started first aid, including administering naloxone, after they were unable to wake him. Paramedics took the man to the hospital, where he remained in serious condition Wednesday, according to Alberta Justice.

The matter is being reviewed internally.

Alberta Justice outlined ways staff keep contraband out of the centre, including drug detection dogs, searches, intelligence gathering, regular rounds and checks, and a body scanner pilot project.

On Tuesday evening in an unrelated incident, a correctional officer was assaulted while performing a routine “pat down” of an inmate, Alberta Justice stated.

The inmate and correctional officer had a brief struggle.

“As a precaution, the officer went to a local hospital for follow-up and the inmate was assessed by Alberta Health Services staff onsite,” the statement said. “There were no serious injuries to the officer or the inmate.”