Police probe inmate’s escape
Man faces charges as officials investigate how he walked free
An inmate who walked away from the Wilkinson Road jail remained at large Tuesday as official inquiries began into how it happened.
Grant Christopher Barker, 30, of Victoria was mistakenly released on Sunday from the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre on Wilkinson Road.
He is not considered a danger to the public.
On Monday, Saanich police initiated two charges against Barker: fraudulently impersonating another person and escaping lawful custody.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Saanich Police Sgt. Steve Eassie said police, with the assistance of correctional officers at the Correctional Centre, are now investigating.
B.C. Corrections has also begun a review of how Barker was able to walk free.
Eassie said Barker has lived for the past several years in the Victoria area and it’s believed he remains close by. Police have received several tips or sightings of him since he left the jail.
Eassie said it’s not believed Barker poses a threat to the public. But he advised anyone who spots him or knows where he is to contact police immediately.
“Anyone involved in that type of lifestyle could potentially pose a danger.”
Eassie said he couldn’t spell out how the escape happened, but said another inmate was due to be released on Sunday. Instead, Barker walked out. The other inmate has now been released.
At the news conference, Eassie said Barker was being held on remand awaiting trial on other criminal matters.
Provincial court information shows Barker was charged with break and enter to commit an offence and resisting or obstructing a police officer. Both offences were said to have occurred on Aug. 13.
He was due to appear in court on Thursday.
Eassie said the charges that first saw Barker remanded in custody are related to a domestic situation. People who might have been involved in that situation have now been informed Barker is at large.
Meanwhile, B.C. Corrections spokeswoman Cindy Rose released a written statement to say escapes like Barker’s are rare.
Last year there were 16,000 inmate releases in B.C., but only four inmates were inadvertently set free.
“That said, each inadvertent release is taken very seriously,” said Rose in the written statement.
“Policy requires that ministry staff complete a full review and follow-up on each and every incident,” she wrote.
“In the case of Mr. Barker, that review is now underway.”
Barker is described as of First Nations descent, about five-foot-six, and weighing 180 pounds.
He has black hair and some facial hair.
He was last seen wearing a black zip-up hooded sweater, black shorts and black and white running shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-4754321 or Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).