The Drumheller Institution is in lock down until Thursday, April 15 to conduct a planned search for contraband.
This follows a seizure of $150,000 worth of contraband including cell phones illegal drugs and tobacco on Sunday, April 11.
The search is for items such as drugs, weapons and cell phones to ensure the safety of the public staff and inmates states a press release.
The search will utilize 13 K-9 teams from Corrections Services Canada (CSC), Canada Border Service Agency, the Calgary Police Service and the Alberta Solicitor General and Public Service.
The Institution employs a number of mechanisms to control the flow of drugs into the penitentiary including searches of offenders and visitors, ion scanners, drug dogs and searches of buildings.
The release further states as part of CSC’s Transformation Agenda, it is strengthening measures to prevent contraband from entering institutions, in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone, and promote a rehabilitative environment for inmates.