Mason Jenkins is the subject of a police search after staff discovered he was unaccounted for at Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ontario, on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The Correctional Service of Canada said the 49-year-old was found missing during a formal count at the institution’s minimum-security unit.
Kingston police have issued a public request for information and are treating Jenkins as unlawfully at large.
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What police say about Mason Jenkins
Kingston police describe Jenkins as a white man who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 255 pounds.
He has a fair complexion, brown eyes and brown hair that is currently shaved bald, according to the police description.
Jenkins was last seen wearing a light green jacket, blue jeans and rubber boots.
Police said members of the public should not approach him if they see him.
Anyone with an immediate sighting should call 911.
Where the search began
The search began after the 11:15 a.m. count at the minimum-security unit on September 24 showed that Jenkins was not present.
The Correctional Service of Canada said it immediately contacted Kingston police, and a warrant for Jenkins’ arrest was issued.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Kingston police at 613-549-4660, extension 0.
Why Jenkins was in federal custody
The Correctional Service of Canada said Jenkins is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Public court records show that Jenkins was convicted in Ontario in connection with the 1998 killing of his younger sister, Jennifer Jenkins.
A 2014 Superior Court ruling also addressed his attempt to seek a reduction in his parole ineligibility period.
The current police and correctional-service notices do not provide details about how Jenkins left the minimum-security unit or how long he had been missing before the count was completed.
What happens next
Kingston police are expected to continue searching for Jenkins with information supplied by the Correctional Service of Canada.
Once an inmate is captured after being declared unlawfully at large, federal correctional policy provides for detention at an institution at an appropriate security level in the region of arrest.
An escape or departure from lawful custody can also lead to additional criminal or institutional proceedings.
Any new charges or security-classification decision would depend on the circumstances established by investigators.
For residents in Kingston and surrounding communities, police are asking people to rely on official updates, avoid direct contact and report sightings immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mason Jenkins?
Mason Jenkins is a 49-year-old federal inmate serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Where was Mason Jenkins last seen?
He was last seen at or near the minimum-security unit of Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ontario. Police said he was wearing a light green jacket, blue jeans and rubber boots.
What should I do if I see Mason Jenkins?
Do not approach him. Call 911 immediately and provide police with the location and direction of travel if it is safe to do so.
How can I provide information about Mason Jenkins?
Contact Kingston police at 613-549-4660, extension 0, with any information about his whereabouts.
Has Mason Jenkins been found?
The latest official notices available for September 24, 2026, say police were still searching for him after he was discovered missing during a formal inmate count.
Fact-Checked: Key identification, search and custody details were checked against official notices from Kingston Police and the Correctional Service of Canada, with court-history context reviewed against an Ontario Superior Court ruling.
Disclaimer: This report reflects the official information available at publication time and may be updated if police announce that Jenkins has been located or provide new details.