A former correctional officer at a jail in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, is facing accusations of breach of trust for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate and failing to report contraband. The Coquitlam RCMP revealed on Thursday that prosecutors have approved two charges against Ramandeep Rai (formerly known as Bassi) from Abbotsford on October 15. Rai was previously employed at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam, although specific dates of her employment were not disclosed.
According to a charge information document from the provincial court registry dated September 11, one charge was approved against Rai. The document alleges that between July 14, 2022, and September 29, 2022, Rai committed fraud or breach of trust by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. The B.C. Prosecution Service confirmed a second count was later sworn, accusing Rai of failing to report contraband and/or facilitating its use and movement.
The Coquitlam RCMP initiated an investigation in September 2022, alleging that the second breach of trust incident occurred between September 11, 2022, and September 29, 2022. It was clarified that these charges are unrelated to the escape of convicted murderer Rabih Alkhalil, who fled the jail on July 21, 2022, and was apprehended in Qatar three years later.
Rai is scheduled for a first appearance in court in November, as confirmed by the provincial court registry. The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, responsible for B.C. Corrections, described the charges as “deeply disturbing.” They stated that upon discovering potential misconduct, Corrections promptly reported it to law enforcement and initiated an internal investigation.
The ministry emphasized that it upholds stringent hiring standards, employing 1,300 officers dedicated to serving with integrity and professionalism. Internal intelligence mechanisms are in place to detect security breaches, and staff are expected to adhere to high professional and ethical standards. In cases of non-compliance, disciplinary actions, including dismissal, can be implemented.
