SECRET POLICE INFO PRINTED IN JAIL

Headingley Computers Source of Leak

THE computers of two former Headingley Correctional Centre guards
have been linked to a serious privacy breach that allowed a member of
the Hells Angels to obtain top-secret intelligence on rival gang
members, jurors heard Wednesday.

Jurors were told an investigation was launched upon discovery of the
documents, which had clearly been printed from Headingley computers
and were time-stamped on the dates of May 21 and May 25, 2005.

The documents include detailed profiles for nine people, including
members of the Bandidos. There were also searches for several gang
names, including Zig Zag Crew, Mad Cow, Cash Money Brothers and
B-Siders which produced long lists of members, associates, enemies
and intelligence.

Winnipeg police found 56 pages of profiles inside the home of a
full-patched biker during a February 2006 raid. Other confidential
material -- including internal police e-mails, an emergency roadblock
plan and surveillance reports from a prior drug operation -- was also located.

The biker is now on trial for nine charges, including drug
trafficking, extortion and proceeds of crime.

Claude McKnight, who works in intelligence and security at the
provincial jail, said he was stunned to learn the Manitoba
Corrections "offender profiles" had fallen into the wrong hands.

McKnight said the inmate profiles are an important tool for
corrections staff and contain information such as offenders'
photograph, personal contact information, physical description,
criminal history, gang associations, institutional behaviour and even
known enemies.

In at least one case, there is mention of "intelligence (that)
suggests the subject may have attempts on his life made by unknown suspects."

"We keep the information for the safety of the individual themselves,
plus the safety of the institution," he said.

McKnight said they can only be viewed by people working within the
institution and all employees are repeatedly cautioned about the need
to maintain confidentiality.

In order to access the documents, a person must enter a personal
information number and password. All visits to the computer system
are logged. And everyone is told to shut down their system when
stepping away or leaving for the day.

"Everyone signs an oath," said McKnight.

McKnight said the profiles are updated on a regular basis to ensure
the information -- which includes the name of institution a person is
currently housed at their address in the community -- is accurate.

McKnight said they quickly traced the leaked documents to the
computer systems of two guards who were working the days of the
searches. One employee was posted in maximum security, the other
worked on the main range.

Both men were interviewed and are no longer working at Headingley,
said McKnight. He also said they aren't currently employed in any
aspect of Corrections "to the best of my knowledge."

McKnight didn't provide any details to court about what, if any,
explanation the guards had about the documents coming from their computers.

No charges have been laid, but an RCMP officer testified Wednesday
the investigation remains ongoing. He said the seized documents were
sent for fingerprinting but he wasn't aware of the results. Crown
attorney Chris Mainella told jurors they will hear more testimony on
the issue later in the trial.

Winnipeg police Chief Jack Ewatski spoke out earlier this week about
infiltration of his department following the revelation that
sensitive police material was found in Grant's home.

Although he wouldn't comment on whether any internal investigations
are underway, Ewatski vowed "swift and harsh" action against any
police employees found to be working in conjunction with bikers to
supply information.

Ewatski said it's no secret organized crime groups like the Hells
Angels conduct intelligence-gathering and counter-surveillance on
police and justice officials.

"There's always a risk to the confidentiality of our operation
because you're dealing with human beings and human beings can always
be compromised," he said.

Getting personal

The following information was contained in 56 pages of offender
profiles found in the home of Hells Angels member Ian Grant

* Photo of inmate

* Height

* Weight

* Race

* Eye colour

* Hair colour

* Any hair loss?

* Marks/tattoos

* Social Insurance Number

* Health number

* Offender number

* Probation number

* Education

* Income

* Place of birth

* Language

* Religion

* Marital status

* Native status

* Band name

* Current location

* Emergency contacts in the community

* Name of probation officer

* Name of social worker

* Name of lawyer

* Aliases

* Correctional history

* Temporary release history

* Current charges pending

* Scheduled court dates

* Other appointments (including medical)

* Cautions (including suicide risk or orders of non-association)