Escape sparks security review at remand centre

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This article was published 09/11/2002 (8534 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Doer government is conducting an in-depth review of security at the Winnipeg Remand Centre following Wednesday’s escape of accused killer Derek Zarichanski, who eluded police for a second day yesterday.

The launch of the inquiry came as Zarichanski’s family and lawyer appealed to the 20-year-old fugitive to give himself up peacefully to avoid any bloodshed.

Zarichanski escaped Wednesday night from two remand centre guards who were transporting him by van to Misericordia Health Centre. When the guards opened the door of the van, Zarichanski — who had picked the lock on his leg shackles — ran away across Sherbrook Street toward the Assiniboine River.

It’s believed Zarichanski undid his leg irons by using a handcuff key, which looks like a small skeleton key, that he had smuggled out of the downtown jail. He was searched before he got into the secure van, but prisoners are adept at hiding things in body cavities, a corrections official said.

Officials are now investigating how Zarichanski got the key in the first place. It’s believed Zarichanski had deliberately cut the fingers of his left hand so that he could get a ride to the hospital.

RCMP and Winnipeg police chased several tips from the public on Zarichanski yesterday.

Jim Wolfe, assistant deputy minister of corrections, said yesterday an internal review of the escape has now evolved into a full institutional study of remand centre security procedures, use of restraints and training of corrections officers. It will also involve input from federal prison officials and look at security procedures in other Canadian cities.

“We feel this is a good one to do this,” Wolfe said. “It will ensure objectivity.”

The report will be tabled in about two weeks and recommendations will be implemented immediately, he said.

Tory Justice critic Gerald Hawranik said yesterday security could be improved if corrections officers were given sidearms.

“The public has a right to feel safe,” Hawranik said. “When you’re dealing with someone who’s charged with first-degree murder, you need to take all the precautions you can.”

Wolfe said it’s unlikely guards will get guns, because the Corrections Act does not provide for the use of lethal force on prisoners. If an armed escort is needed, police perform that task.

However, Wolfe said the review will examine why an armed escort wasn’t requested after Zarichanski cut his hand.

He also said Zarichanski’s guards followed all proper procedures, and were simply out-run when Zarichanski suddenly kicked open the door and bolted.

Boyd Campbell, president of the Manitoba Police Association, said he could find no fault with the guards.

“I understand the difficult job these guys are doing,” he said. “Sometimes the best efforts can’t stop things like this from occurring. Handcuff keys are so common out there, and so concealable, a guy could hide it in his hair or orifice and it would be missed in a search.”

Meanwhile, Zarichanski’s family and lawyer pleaded for calm yesterday, saying they were worried there might be an “explosive” end to the manhunt.

Zarichanski’s grandmother, who has raised him since he was a young child, has been in tears since learning of Thursday morning’s escape, lawyer Martin Glazer said.

The elderly woman has also been coping with a continued police presence outside her home in La Salle.

And Zarichanski’s girlfriend, who didn’t want to be identified, claims police told her “they’d do what they had to do” to catch him.

Glazer also accused police of “whipping up” a public frenzy by declaring Zarichanski armed, dangerous and desperate.

“We believe it’s an exaggeration. His record is all non-violent, and the charges he is facing are only accusations,” said Glazer, who has been waiting by his phone in case his client called wanting to turn himself in.

“We’re hoping he will turn himself in, hopefully sooner rather than later.”

Glazer contacted police yesterday to express his concerns.

“We expect the police to act professionally when they do find him, but his family is quite concerned the police will hurt him. We are concerned about lethal force being used,” he said.

Glazer also believes the publicity surrounding Zarichanski’s escape may jeopardize his right to a fair trial, assuming he is safely captured.

“It’s like he’s already been tried and convicted,” he said.

Glazer maintained regular contact with his client prior to the escape, but said he had no inkling anything was planned.

“What happened, and why he did it, remains a mystery,” he said.

“Nobody had any idea this was going to happen. It seems to me it could have been an impulsive thing.”

Glazer and Zarichanski’s family also disputed his client has any gang connections, as police have suggested.

Zarichanski has been in custody since his arrest in May for two armed robberies of two rural Manitoba Caisse Populaires. He had never applied for bail, and last appeared in court Oct. 23. His next appearance is scheduled for Dec. 3.

He was charged in July with the November, 2001, slaying of Benjamin Marshall, whose bullet-ridden body was found wrapped in plastic and duct tape and dumped outside the city.

He was also charged with plotting to kill another man, Jason Patrick MacDonald. A second man, Luke Pujol, was also charged in the conspiracy.

Zarichanski faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison with no parole for 25 years if convicted of first-degree murder. No trial dates had been set, as Glazer is still awaiting particulars from the Crown and police.

“We are going to defend this case very vigorously. As far as we’re concerned, they don’t have a case of first-degree murder against him,” said Glazer.

He believes much of the case is going to be built around an informant who provided information about the killing to police.

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca