The City of Port-Cartier has issued an evacuation order as a result of escalating forest fires, affecting various areas including the Port-Cartier maximum security prison.
The evacuation, announced on Friday, June 21, led to the successful relocation of inmates to other secure federal correctional facilities.
The Port-Cartier Institution, located in the city of Port-Cartier, Quebec, is a maximum-security federal penitentiary. It houses some of Canada’s most dangerous offenders, serving sentences for a range of serious crimes. The facility is designed to manage high-risk inmates, offering stringent security measures to ensure the safety of both the staff and the prisoners.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) implemented comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and security of staff, the public, and offenders during the evacuation process. These measures were coordinated in collaboration with various partners to maintain order and safety throughout the relocation.
Victim notifications have been completed in accordance with the preferences provided to the CSC, ensuring that all necessary parties are informed of the situation and the steps being taken.
At present, the Port-Cartier Institution remains closed to visitors, including volunteers, contractors, and other personnel. Regular updates regarding the status of the institution and its operations will be provided via the CSC’s social media channels.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing communication between the CSC, the City of Port-Cartier, and public safety partners to determine when the institution may safely reopen.
While the immediate threat from forest fires has diminished, Environment Canada warns that a shift in wind direction could potentially worsen air quality in the evening hours at Port-Cartier.