3 officers hospitalized after fentanyl exposure at B.C. prison, union says

The Pacific Institution federal penitentiary is seen in Abbotsford, B.C., on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Three correctional officers were hospitalized after being exposed to fentanyl at a federal prison in B.C.’s Fraser Valley earlier this month, according to their union.

The incident happened during a “routine targeted search” at the Pacific Institution on June 11, the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers said in a news release Monday.

“An inmate became assaultive and attempted to destroy evidence by dispersing what was later confirmed to be fentanyl, exposing the responding officers,” the UCCO said.

“Three officers were transported to hospital by ambulance, some required Narcan, and one officer required chest compressions.”

Two other officers were exposed to the substance but did not require hospitalization, according to the union, which said the volume of drugs being smuggled into prisons is rising. CTV News has asked the UCCO for any data available on that increase.

The union highlighted this month’s incident as Correctional Service Canada faces significant budget cuts—with the federal government setting a 15 per cent spending reduction target over the next three years.

The UCCO has said mobile patrols and dog searches are both being impacted by the approximately $132 million in cost savings required to meet that mandate.

Those changes will “significantly reduce” the ability of staff to intercept drugs coming into prisons, union president Frédérick Lebeau said in a statement.

“The policies that once supported a coherent strategy to combat illicit drugs in our institutions are being dismantled at precisely the wrong time,” Lebeau said.

CTV News has asked Correctional Service Canada for confirmation of the June 11 incident, and for a response to the union’s concerns about security cuts.

This story will be updated if a response from either the union or government is received.