Timeline of Publicly Reported Canadian Prison Transport Incidents
This timeline documents publicly reported prisoner transport incidents and major safety developments in Canada. It will be updated as new information, official records, and investigative findings become available.
2012 • Jacquet River, New Brunswick
Sheriff transport van crashes on Route 11
- Van loses control during snowstorm.
- Three prisoners seriously injured.
- Two sheriff officers injured.
- Public testimony: prisoners described as being thrown around "like marbles in a can."
- Government later introduces redesigned transport vans.
- Status: Vehicle design changed. No evidence of a change to restraint policy has been identified to date.
CBC • Investigation • Court documents
2016–2017
Correctional Investigator raises national safety concerns
- Ivan Zinger inspects CSC escort vehicles.
- Describes them as lacking seatbelts and basic crash protection.
- Recommends replacing the escort fleet.
OCI Annual Report
2017 • Ontario
OPP prisoner transport van rolls over
- No prisoners onboard.
- Two officers injured.
OPP prisoner van crash - CHCH
An OPP prisoner van rolled several times on Cockshutt road near Waterford Tuesday afternoon. OPP say a grey vehicle was heading west on Cockshutt when it collided with a southbound transport van in the intersection. There were no prisoners in the van at the time. Two female officers were taken to hospital along with the 66 […]
Chantel Grillo
2018
Edwin Nott Federal Court Case
- Inmate alleges nearly eight hours in a transport compartment.
- Claims chest pain, dehydration and inability to communicate.
- Files Federal Court lawsuit.
- References OCI findings that vans are "inhumane and unsafe."
‘I was shackled in a van for almost 8 hours’: Inmate calls for changes to prison transport vehicles - Kingston | Globalnews.ca
A Bath Institution inmate is suing the federal government after he says he was shackled and cramped into a ‘sardine-can style’ prisoner transport van.
Kraig Krause
2020 • Port Hope, Ontario
Air-conditioning failure
- Six prisoners being transported.
- Prisoner compartment loses air conditioning.
- Prisoners cannot alert officers because there is no communication system.
- Three prisoners transported to hospital with heat-related illness.
- Officers only discover the problem after stopping for coffee.
Sources:
2020 • Saint-Fulgence, Quebec
Prison transport van rolls several times
- Two correctional officers.
- One prisoner.
- All injured but survive.
Sources:
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1756276/accident-detenu-prison-route
2024
CSC begins introducing seatbelts in newer escort vehicles
- CSC begins installing seatbelts in newer T80R security escort vehicles as part of its fleet replacement program.
- Older escort vehicles without seatbelts remain in service until they reach the end of their lifecycle.
- According to CSC, the restraint system uses a lift-latch style buckle.
- Prisoners cannot be compelled to wear the restraint.
- Questions remain regarding the engineering standards, crashworthiness, and occupant protection of the new restraint system.
Source: Correspondence with CSC Policy & Research Division (August 2026)
2026 • Wainwright, Alberta
Fatal prisoner transport crash
- Two correctional peace officers killed.
- Prisoner also dies.
- Investigation ongoing.