Alleged gang-led prison riot foiled

An alleged gang plot to start another riot at Stony Mountain Institution and kill prison officials was thwarted this week in what justice sources say is the latest example of inmates trying to run the volatile penitentiary.

Federal correctional officials and RCMP are continuing their investigation and believe they've negated the latest threat by putting several high-ranking members of a Winnipeg-based street gang in 24-hour segregation, the Free Press has learned.

The threats were taken seriously, considering Stony was the scene of a bloody brawl last month that left six inmates seriously injured and prompted a sweeping lockdown that only ended earlier this week.

Some of the same gang members involved in the Jan. 10 riot were allegedly involved in the most recent plans, which are believed to have been triggered by resentment and anger over being confined to their cells for the past five weeks.

"This time the focus was going to be staff members, not rival gang members," a justice source told the Free Press Friday.

Guy Langlois, a spokesman with Corrections Services Canada who works at Stony Mountain, wouldn't comment on the specific allegations.

"That's still under investigation and information is still being collected," he said. "We do have a segregation area and do utilize that as needed."

No charges have been laid to date.

It's believed Native Syndicate gang members, involved in last month's riot, were behind the latest plot. Those inmates were recently put on a separate range with members of two of their rival gangs -- Hells Angels and Zig Zag Crew -- and tensions were strained, the source said.

According to the source, gang members began stockpiling knives "for a hostage-taking spectacle in order to make their dissatisfaction known to all.

"Basically, they were willing to do an extra five to 10 years (behind bars) to get a range of their own."

At least one of the gang members refused to go through with the plan and revealed all to staff earlier this week, the source said. The gang leaders were later separated.

"From all initial information this was close to happening," said the source.

It's been 25 years since the prison just north of the city exploded with lethal violence toward corrections officers.

In July 1984, two Stony Mountain guards were killed during a premeditated riot planned by prisoners unhappy with new rules at the federal institution.

Joseph Wendl, 54, and 34-year-old Werner Friesen were locking up prisoners for the night when they were attacked by a group of inmates who'd been drinking homebrew in their cells. Friesen was grabbed from behind while another inmate stabbed him in the chest with a pair of scissors. Wendl was stabbed in the back and pushed down a flight of stairs.

The inmates then grabbed a set of keys dropped by one of the guards and began opening range doors.

Langlois confirmed Friday that inmates at the medium-security prison are no longer confined to their cells and are back in educational and work programs and exercise routines. Visitation will resume on Monday.

The lockdown began on Jan. 10 after approximately 100 inmates, mostly representing two rival aboriginal street gangs, barricaded themselves inside one of the living areas and began fighting.

Inmates -- including some wearing masks -- set fires, stabbed other prisoners, and threw garbage cans at corrections officers who battled back with pepper spray and displayed their shotguns during a melee that lasted almost six hours and marked the worst outbreak of Manitoba prison violence since the 1996 Headingley riot.

Six inmates were taken to hospital, including one in critical condition. Langlois said Friday they have all been treated and released and returned to Stony while the investigation continues.

"At some point there will be the laying of charges," he said.

www.mikeoncrime.com

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 21, 2009 A3