RCMP look for man who escaped from Regina jail

White Butte RCMP are asking the public for help in locating a 46-year-old man who escaped from the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre (RPCC) Monday afternoon.

According to Drew Wilby, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, Ronald J. Turner was convicted for drug trafficking and one break-and-enter charge.

Turner was remanded in April, and was later sentenced until January 2018. Wilby said Turner escaped on foot through the RPCC’s outdoor secure envelope.

Turner is believed to be in the Regina area.

“We would anticipate that he probably hasn’t left very far, but at the same time, obviously, he could be mobile and there could be resources available for him to leave the area,” he said.

Wilby added that both the ministry and the RCMP have done an assessment on Turner and — given his charges — he’s deemed not a risk to public safety.

Before coming to that conclusion, Wilby said they weighed some factors — including what kind of risks the inmate presents to himself, the facility and the community once they are released.

According to police, they were notified that Turner had escaped from the jail at 3:30 p.m. on Monday. Police released information Tuesday morning.

Police have described Turner as five feet seven inches tall, 155 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a white RPCC t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Anyone with information on Turner’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately. Police have advised people not to approach Turner.