Burnside lockdown enters fourth day; no end in sight

A lockdown at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside entered its fourth day Friday.

Its the longest lockdown since the facility opened in 2001, and the province wont say when it will end. The prison's 313 male inmates and 41 female inmates are under tighter restrictions, although some inmates were allowed to make a personal phone call Friday.

The prison has 200 staff, excluding support staff like maintanance and custodial.

• Spike in violence at Burnside jail

Otherwise, the prisoners are kept in their cell around the clock, only leaving to see their lawyer or to shower. No family visits are permitted.

It'll be over when it's over.- Sean Kelly, director of correctional services

Sean Kelly, Nova Scotias director of correctional services, said the lockdown was planned. It started Tuesday morning and is supposed to permit a deep search for makeshift weapons and contraband drugs.

Both have beenwidely reported problems in the Burnside jail over the past two years. Theyve been blamed for assaults on guards and inmates, and smuggling charges.

Kelly says the lockdown was not triggered by an act of violence, and that it wasnt out of the ordinary.

We decided to actually do a complete and thorough search and look at absolutely everything, from the cleanliness procedures to the security procedures, he said. Public safety is the first and foremost priority, starting with staff safety.

Weapons found

Guards have found some homemade weapons that could be used as knives but so far no drugs. Inmates are alsobeing required to spend time cleaning their cells, after reports they were unsanitary.

Itll be over when its over, he said.

Kelly said the decision to restrict the movement of inmates for such a lengthy period of time has nothing to do with staffing levels at the facility, which he says are adequate.

Kelly saidcontingency plans are in place to accept and house inmates who will arrive later Fridayto begin serving their intermittent sentences during the weekend.