Grand Valley Institution for Women remains in lockdown

CTV Kitchener: Fentanyl maybe cause of lockdown The lockdown is now in its third day. Abigail Bimman reports

CTV News has learned that the deadly drug Fentanyl may be the cause of a lockdown at Grand Valley Institute for women.

Now in its fourth day, the lockdown involves an “exceptional search” that goes into effect when Correctional Service Canada (CSC) feels the need to search the entire facility, not just a single area.

It also gives guards, the right to go to extra lengths most notably strip searches.

While there are reports that the search may be for Fentanyl, CSC will only confirm that they found some kind of contraband.

The Correctional Officers Union says across the country the use of that drug behind bars has “skyrocketed” in the past six months.

The head of the Elizabeth Fry Society tells CTV the inmates inside the countries biggest prison for women, predicted another lockdown would happen before the long weekend.

They feel they are being punished since long weekends are usually busy time visitors, but no visitors are allowed during a lockdown.

There’s no word yet from CSC or anyone else as to when the lockdown may end.

With reporting from Abigail Bimman