A man serving a prison sentence at a minimum security Saskatchewan “healing lodge” has escaped custody.
Correctional Service Canada confirmed that 30-year-old Albert Mckay, was unaccounted for as of 9:45 p.m. Saturday night.
Mckay is currently serving a sentence of three years, two months, and 20 days for break and enter and assault.
In Canada, correctional facilities known as healing lodges integrate Indigenous cultural practices, such as sweat lodge ceremonies, to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of Indigenous offenders.
According to the Correctional Service Canada, “healing lodges are a vital component of Canada’s correctional landscape.”
In its statement Sunday, the correctional service says it “immediately contacted the Rosthern Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police” upon learning of Mckay’s disappearance from the healing lodge.
As part of the broader effort toward “truth and reconciliation,” the lodges prioritize healing in an Indigenous context over the traditional use of correctional facilities, which is to detain and hold violent or dangerous criminals in custody.
Currently, there are 10 healing lodges across Canada funded and/or operated by correctional service. Four of them are run solely by the government, while others are managed by partner or community organizations.
Mckay is described as six feet and approximately 244 lbs with “medium complexion, brown eyes and brown hair.”
Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Mckay is asked to contact the police.