Four charged in fatal riot at penitentiary

Criminal charges have been laid against four inmates in connection with a riot at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary that resulted in the death of a prisoner.

Upwards of 200 inmates caused extensive damage last December in the medium-security wing of the federal institution in Prince Albert.

Correctional Service Canada said at the time that three inmates were assaulted by the rioters and 43-year-old prisoner Jason Leonard Bird died.

Julius Beardy, Josh McLaren, Larry Windigo and John Linklater are charged with participation in a riot.

Beardy, McLaren and Windigo are also charged with wearing a mask with intent to commit an indictable offence, while Linklater, McLaren and Windigo are facing counts of mischief and obstructing justice by obscuring prison security cameras. It’s not yet clear if more charges will be laid.

All four made a court appearance on Wednesday in Prince Albert via video link and are to return to court Oct. 11.

Correctional Service Canada said staff discovered three injured inmates while securing the ranges in the unit. All three were in serious condition when they were sent to hospital.

Six other inmates suffered nonlife-threatening injuries when the penitentiary’s emergency response team opened fire with shotguns while storming the prisoners’ barricades to end the disturbance.

A representative with the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers said that, prior to the violence, inmates were dissatisfied with the quality and portion size of the food served to them.