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Apparent standoff ends peacefully at Penetang superjail

'No staff or inmates were injured,' says ministry spokesperson

Heavily armed OPP units rushed to the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene this morning following reports of a standoff.

Officers at the scene wouldn't comment on why they were there, but members of the provincial force's emergency response team were involved in the incident.

Shortly after noon, a man secured to a stretcher was led to a waiting ambulance by paramedics, who were followed closely to the vehicle by a half-dozen OPP officers. Then, a correctional officer removed a minivan parked in the visitor's lot.

A few moments later, four cruisers with lights flashing and sirens blaring accompanied the ambulance transporting the man to Georgian Bay General Hospital.

Southern Georgian Bay OPP Const. David Hobson said the force would have to defer any comment to the involved government agency.

"The ministry can confirm there was an​ incident at Central North Correctional Centre this morning," said Kristy Denette, a spokesperson with the Ministry of the Solicitor General. "No staff or inmates were injured."

Denette said the institution was briefly locked down, but has since resumed normal operations.

"As this matter is under investigation, it would be inappropriate to provide further details," she added. 


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Andrew Philips

About the Author: Andrew Philips

Editor Andrew Philips is a multiple award-winning journalist whose writing has appeared in some of the country’s most respected news outlets. Originally from Midland, Philips returned to the area from Québec City a decade ago.
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