Inmate, 77, dies of ‘apparent natural causes’ in B.C. prison

A double-cell is seen at the Pacific Institution Regional Treatment Centre, in Abbotsford, B.C.. (Office of the Correctional Investigator)

A 77-year-old inmate who was serving a two-year sentence at a federal prison in British Columbia has died.

The Correctional Service of Canada says the inmate died of apparent natural causes on May 2.

The inmate had been incarcerated at the Pacific Institution/Regional Treatment Centre in Abbotsford since May 3, 2024.

“The individual’s name has been anonymized to comply with a court-ordered publication ban to protect the identity of victims,” the correctional service said in a news release.

The agency did not describe the offences for which the inmate had been sentenced and incarcerated.

“The inmate’s next of kin have been notified,” the release said.

The agency says it has notified the local police and the coroner, and will conduct its own review of the circumstances of the death.

The Pacific Institution/Regional Treatment Centre has the capacity to house approximately 500 inmates.