Charges have yet to be laid against the two inmates accused of orchestrating a standoff with police and correctional officers at the Fort Frances Jail last month.
“There are still some aspects of the investigation that have to be completed before [the OPP are] in a position to lay criminal charges,” said Julia Noonan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Correctional Services.
There has been no rush to lay charges as the OPP’s investigation continues.
“It might be a while. It won’t be at the end of this week, for sure, that the charges are filed,” noted Noonan.
“The individuals are in custody, therefore, there’s no need to apprehend at this point because they are already apprehended and in custody,” she added.
The Ministry of Correctional Services also is continuing its own investigation into the cause and developments of the incident that began on the evening of June 28 and ended peacefully in the late afternoon of June 29.
“We are–that’s still underway,” Noonan confirmed.
The incident began when inmates refused to take orders from correctional officers. During the ensuing standoff, the OPP Emergency Response Team, a 49-member Tactical Response Unit, and the Ministry’s Institutional Crisis Intervention Team were called in from across the province.
The Fort Frances Jail has since re-opened and is currently housing a number of inmates. The two believed to be behind the standoff have not been returned here.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
