WINNIPEG — Three prisoners — including two convicted murderers — have escaped from a minimum-security healing lodge in Manitoba.
The trio was discovered missing Thursday night by Ochichakkosipi healing lodge staff on the Crane River First Nation, about 350 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
Jeff Campbell, spokesman with the Correctional Service of Canada, said the minimum-security facility isn’t fenced in.
“In theory, an offender who wants to leave could walk off the property.”
Edward Bernard, 50, was serving an indeterminate sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder. He’s described as 5’11 tall, weighing 188 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Allan Stonechild, 58, was also serving an indeterminate sentence for second-degree murder. He’s described as 6’1 tall, weighing 256 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
A third prisoner, 31-year-old Nelson Kahnapace, was serving a nine-year sentence for a range of charges, including escaping custody, aggravated assault, break and enter and robbery. He’s described as 5’9 tall, weighing 177 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
The lodge is in a remote area northwest of Winnipeg on Lake Manitoba, but Campbell said officials don’t know where the men might be. All are considered a low risk to the public.