Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009 Author: Rafe Arnot DRUGS, VIOLENCE TRIGGER MISSION PRISON LOCKDOWN Mission Institution has been under a lockdown since Friday following concerns over increased drug activity and inmate violence, Assistant Warden Jonathan Ratzlaff said. The procedure was initiated to help Corrections Canada conduct searches for contraband drugs and weapons and to ensure the safety of the public and inmates, he said. "We're trying to determine who is muscling who, and why. "Things were coming to a head," Ratzlaff said. A search of the facility turned up tobacco, marijuana and unidentified pharmaceuticals. "It's just a matter of shaking the place down," he said. Prison officials were hoping to lift the lockdown by today or tomorrow, and resume scheduled visits, Ratzlaff said. "We just want to get things back to normal." Ratzlaff said it's next to impossible to stop the flow of illicit items into the prison, but corrections officials were doing there best. "All we can do is try to control it to a degree, I don't think we can ever eliminate drugs in prisons," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D