Man breaks into Kitchener prison and assaults two people

Police say a man jumped a fence and assaulted two inmates at Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ont. CTV’s Karis Mapp has the details.

A Kitchener, Ont., man has been charged with breaking into the Grand Valley Institution for Women (GVI).

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) said the 28-year-old climbed over a fence at the prison around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Once inside the yard, the man allegedly assaulted two inmates.

Police do not believe he knew his victims.

“The institution was placed on lockdown immediately to secure the site and ensure the safety of inmates and staff,” Correctional Service Canada said in a statement to CTV News. “Both victims were evaluated and treated by on-site medical staff. No staff members or other inmates were injured during this incident.”

WRPS arrested the man and charged him with break and enter, two counts of assault and mischief under $5,000.

“The lockdown ended early the following morning and the institution has since resumed normal operations, including visits,” Correctional Service Canada said.

Reaction to break-in

Diane King learned about the break-in at GVI on Monday morning.

“A friend of mine from inside the jail called me and said, ‘Did you know someone broke in last night?’” she told CTV News. “Her and all the other inmates were told to go into lockdown. She found out eventually the reason was because a guy had jumped the fence and tried to break into one of the houses.”

Minimum and medium-security inmates live in residential-style homes on the Homer Watson Boulevard property.

“Her feeling was, you can’t even be safe in jail from people coming in and attacking you,” King said. “She felt really unsettled, very unsafe.”

The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, which supports women and gender diverse people in penitentiaries, has spoken with GVI inmates and their families about the incident.

“They’re feeling shaken and they’re feeling concerned,” said senior advocate Jacqueline Omstead.

“We are already providing our advice to them directly and, also, we are in touch with the institutional management team. But, as we always tell people, continue to reach out to your supports, document the experiences that you’re having, utilize the internal grievance process, continue to be in touch with CAEFS (Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies) and with the other people who support you.”

It was the first time Omstead had heard of someone breaking into a prison.

“Our hope is that whatever response the Correctional Service of Canada has to this incident, it doesn’t create a more restrictive environment for the people inside,” she said.

The organization promised to closely monitor the situation, while the Waterloo Regional Police Service and Correctional Service Canada continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the break-in.