An inmate is dead at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary after a fight broke out Friday evening in the medium-security unit at the facility.
Officials at the penitentiary say approximately 30 inmates were involved in the fight, which started just after 8:00 p.m. According to the RCMP, the altercation took place in the gym.
Seven inmates were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries. One of the injured inmates, Courtney Dallas Cook, died as a result of injuries he received in the fight.
Cook was serving a two year, two month, 30 day sentence for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and failing to comply with a probation order. He began serving his sentence on March 23, 2010.
The medium-security units remain under lockdown while the maximum-security units will operate under modified rules. Normal routines will resume when it is deemed safe to do so by institutional managers.
The coroner has been called in to investigate the death. In addition, F Division Major Crimes, Prince Albert RCMP General Investigation Sections and the Prince Albert RCMP Forensic Identification Section are involved in the investigation.
Earlier this year, Daniel Richard Wolfe, one of the founders of the Indian Posse street gang, was killed at the penitentiary. Wolfe was stabbed twice in the chest after a brawl involving 10 inmates broke out on a range in the maximum-security unit on January 4.
Six inmates were charged in Wolfe’s death. Nolan Turcotte pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a concurrent seven year sentence. Jacob Worm also pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given a 10 year concurrent sentence. Also pleading guilty to manslaughter are Francis Yukon and Michael Slippery. Preliminary hearing dates have been set for the two other inmates.
The Saskatchewan Penitentiary is located one kilometre west of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and current houses 503 medium-security and 166 maximum-security inmates.
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