Five "dangerous" inmates remain at large after escaping from the Regina Provincial Correction Centre Sunday night, the RCMP say.
A sixth inmate escaped but was captured shortly before midnight Sunday, the police force said.
"These people are considered dangerous and could possibly be armed so we are asking the public, please do not approach them," RCMP Sgt. Doug Coleman said.
The men escaped at about 10 p.m. Sunday, but the public was not informed until Monday afternoon.
Saskatchewan Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Darryl Hickie told Canada AM on Tuesday that "we'll have to look at (the) entire communications process in light of this escape.
"In the future, we'll release to the media at the same time we release to the RCMP to ensure that public safety is maintained," he said.
The RCMP did not release specific details on why the men were in prison -- only that their crimes ranged from property offences to serious violent crimes.
But The Canadian Press reported that staff at a provincial courthouse in Regina confirmed that four of the men are charged with murder and another is charged with aggravated assault. Hickie also said some of the inmates are facing murder charges.
The inmates have been identified as:
- Ryan John Agecoutay, 25
- Preston Clarence Buffalocalf, 22
- James Joseph Pewean, 25
- Daniel Richard Wolfe, 32
One of the inmates cannot be named as he had been charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The Regina correction centre is under lockdown but no injuries were reported in the escape. Police have not said how the men managed to escape.
Wolfe was charged earlier this year with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder in relation to a violent home invasion.
He is one of founders of the Indian Posse street gang -- an aboriginal gang based out of Winnipeg.
Police released photos of the escaped men but said the prisoners may have made attempts to disguise their appearance. They have also issued Canada-wide warrants for the escapees.
Jail just upgraded
The jail had just undergone renovations to replace the section built in 1913.
Julien Houlet, the centre's director told The Canadian Press in early August that the $51.5 million in improvements for the facility will help house inmates more humanely.
The old 1913 building has been described as like Alcatraz, with crumbling concrete, a sagging foundation, and problems with mould and cockroaches.
The men escaped from a newer part of the facility, which was built in the 1960s.
"I look forward to the investigation to find out exactly what happened in this case," Hickie said.
Anyone with information on the escaped inmates is asked to call the RCMP Regina detachment at (306) 780-5560 or their local police.
To make an anonymous tip on the inmates, a person can call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
With files from The Canadian Press
