Lockdown in place at Agassiz prison

AGASSIZ – Without providing any further details, federal correctional staff have implemented a lockdown at a prison in Agassiz.

Correctional Service Canada says a lockdown was put in place at Mountain Institution, a medium-security federal institution, to enable staff members to conduct an exceptional search.

The lockdown went into effect this past Monday, July 13.

CSC says the search was ordered to ensure the safety and security of the institution, its staff, and inmates.

Visits have been rescinded until the search is completed. Normal operations will resume as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

No further information was provided by CSC.

Mountain Institution in Agassiz has experienced a few notable incidents this year.

Just last month, CSC said a lockdown and exceptional search that began on June 26 resulted in several contraband items being confiscated at the facility, including homemade weapons, two cell phones and cannabis concentrate.

Earlier in June, CSC said a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Mountain Institution on Friday, June 12. The contraband and unauthorized items consisted of a cell phone, one USB charger, tobacco, shatter (a highly potent marijuana derivative), and methamphetamine. CSC estimated the total estimated institutional value of these seizures at $273,000.

In March 2026, CSC said Mountain staff intercepted a package containing the contraband and unauthorized items included cellphones, charging cables, accessories and shatter, a cannabis concentrate. It valued the seizure at $308,440 and credited the vigilance of staff members for their role in the seizure.