Police searching for escaped inmate from Metchosin prison

Police searching for escaped inmate from Metchosin prison

Published 3:45 pm Sunday, June 28, 2026

Police are searching for a 69-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for murder who escaped from a minimum-security federal prison on Sunday, June 28.

Staff members at William Head Institution in Metchosin, B.C., discovered that Ernest Egon Jensen was missing during the noon count. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) immediately contacted the West Shore detachment of the RCMP.

Ernest Jensen has escaped from William Head Institution, a minimum-security facility in Metchosin, British Columbia. Anyone who has information is asked to contact the police. More information will follow. pic.twitter.com/FzI10YFaWm

— Correctional Service (@CSC_SCC_en) June 28, 2026

Jensen is currently serving an indeterminate life sentence for second-degree murder, which began on March 20, 1991. He has also previously served sentences for break and enter and trespassing.

Authorities describe Jensen as 5’8” and weighing 228 pounds with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and a bald head. He has a scar on his forehead and is missing three fingers on his left hand.

West Shore RCMP said they immediately responded to the area to conduct patrols. RCMP also said the public can expect to see a heavy police presence in the area of the institution. Police Dog Services has also attended the scene, and RCMP Air Services has been called out to conduct air patrols.

The CSC noted it has provided police with all available information to assist in his arrest and will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape.

Jensen is considered dangerous. Members of the public are urged not to approach him. If you see him or have any information regarding his whereabouts, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have information that does not require an emergency response, contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.