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The riot took place in five corridors, also known as ranges, in the medium-security section of the aging prison located in Prince Albert.

Tensions had been simmering for days, according to the report.

CSC should not investigate itself when there’s such a tragedy

On the morning of Friday, Dec 9, 2016, inmate kitchen workers walked off the job in protest over food portions. One point of contention: the utensil used to scoop scrambled eggs was undersized and not delivering the 125 grams mandated by the prison system’s national menu. When staff found a slightly bigger utensil, it didn’t satisfy kitchen workers and they did not return to work the following Monday, Dec. 12.

On Dec. 13, the warden signed a memo committing to efforts to find ways to improve oversight of food quality and portions and general working conditions in the kitchen.

But the inmate representatives were not satisfied and came back Dec. 14 with a new demand: “double portions of protein.” The warden said this was not possible as menus were set nationally. The warden was also told inmates were fed up with their diminished purchasing power.

That afternoon, ranges were opened up so inmates could proceed to their work programs. But some of the inmates in the E and F corridors refused. Correctional officers attempted to get them to return to their cells, but they ignored orders to lock up.

At 1:25 p.m., inmates in the E3 and E4 ranges covered their faces with balaclavas and began to smash appliances, blocked or broke surveillance cameras and erected a barricade using fridges, washing machines, beds, sheets, cables and other items. Similar disturbances broke out in the E1, E2 and F4 ranges.