Editor’s note: The charges against Graham Trevor Spilsbury were withdrawn on July 22, 2019. According to Alberta Justice, after the trial date was booked, there was a “material change in the evidence the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service had available and the charges were withdrawn… The decision to withdraw charges falls within the purview of prosecutorial discretion.”
A 50-year-old man who used to work at a maximum security prison in Edmonton has been charged with sexual assault and assault with a weapon.
“The charges are in relation to incidents that took place prior to 2017 against a female employee at the Institution,” police said in a news release Wednesday.
Police said Graham Trevor Spilsbury is a former employee of the Edmonton Institution, a maximum security men’s prison.
READ MORE: Edmonton Institution staff claim torture, abuse and harassment by male co-workers
Correctional Service Canada alerted the Edmonton Police Service in the fall of 2017 of allegations of criminal conduct at the prison and an investigation began.
Charges were laid against Spilsbury on Tuesday. He was released from custody on a promise to appear.
The police service said it wouldn’t comment further since the investigation into criminal allegations at the institution has not been completed.
Both the accused and the complainant were corrections officers at the time.
READ MORE: Criminal investigation into alleged staff misconduct at Edmonton prison
The prison is at the centre of several harassment claims.
In 2017, an independent review of the prison on the northeast edge of the city found its work atmosphere was toxic. The review made dozens of recommendations for change.
The Correctional Service later announced that it had fired six employees, hired a new warden, improved training and created a confidential tip line for employees to report misconduct.
READ MORE: 4 employees fired from Edmonton Institution amid harassment investigation
In March of 2018, four female corrections officers at the Edmonton Institution sued the prison and their own union, claiming they were tortured, abused and harassed. It is not clear if these charges are connected.
WATCH BELOW (March 12, 2018): Four female corrections officers at the Edmonton Institution are suing the prison and their own union, claiming they were tortured, abused and harassed. Fletcher Kent reports. GRAPHIC WARNING
— With files from The Canadian Press