An investigation is underway to figure out how a Chatham-Kent man convicted of first-degree murder was able to escape from a correctional facility.
Mason Jenkins, who was given a life sentence for the 1998 killing of his sister, was discovered missing from Collins Bay Institution in Kingston on Thursday. As of early Friday afternoon, he continues to remain at large.
According to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), Jenkins was in the prison's minimum-security section.
"The environment of a minimum-security institution is designed to foster the skills needed to function in a setting with minimal supervision. This is why the perimeter is clearly defined but does not include a fence," read a statement from CSC.
The CSC explained that prisoners who may never be released can still be put under minimum-security. This is because they believe it promotes prosocial behaviour and personal development.
"Research shows that reclassifying inmates to lower security levels increases their sense of responsibility," read the CSC's statement.
The CSC is working with different law enforcement agencies to find Jenkins.
Some believe he might try to return to Chatham-Kent (CK), which has prompted CK police to be on the lookout.
"The safety of our residents remains our top priority, and we are committed to taking all reasonable steps to support public safety while assisting our policing partners in their efforts to locate and apprehend the individual," explained CK police.
Anyone who spots Jenkins in CK is asked to contact Sergeant Paul Brophy of the Criminal Investigations Section at (519) 436-6600, extension 80619.
People are also encouraged to contact Kingston Police at 613-549-4660, extension 0, if they have any information on his whereabouts.
