EDMONTON — Prison officials say two corrections officers and an inmate died during a transfer from a prison facility for women. Correctional Service Canada announced the deaths Thursday in a post on social media but did not provide any details about the officers or the inmate, how the three were killed or when it happened. The post called it a "tragic accident during a transfer from Edmonton Institution for Women." The Edmonton Institution for Women is a multi-level design facility in the city's west end that accommodates minimum- and medium-security inmates. In an emailed statement, the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers says it's "devastated" by the loss of its members "who were killed in a motor vehicle accident while performing their duties during an inmate escort." "Today, our union mourns two dedicated professionals who served with courage, commitment, and honour," the statement said. The union said the RCMP is investigating the accident. An RCMP spokesperson would not provide further details about the deaths, but said Mounties expect to release a statement later Friday. Condolences have also come in from agencies as far east as Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as from Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. In a post to social media about the deaths, Carney said his thoughts are with their loved ones and those grieving the loss. Poilievre wrote in a social media post that he was "saddened" to learn of the correctional officers' deaths and that they and their colleagues are owed "a debt of gratitude" for keeping Canadians safe. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2026. Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
