A Vancouver Island prison is trading in its 12-foot fence for something less menacing in line with its minimum-security status.
William Head Institution, just south of Metchosin, is downgrading its security fence to just four feet tall in early January. Razor wire that previously topped the fence already appeared to have been taken down.
The move caught Metchosin Mayor John Ranns and the rest of City Hall by surprise.
Ranns called it "unfortunate" that he was informed of the move through the media.
He said he's reserving judgment on the fence change until he meets with the prison's warden on Thursday to discuss details.
William Head made the move from medium to minimum security back in 2003.
