Inmate death at Labrador Correctional Centre, RCMP investigating

Police are investigating a sudden death of a 22-year-old man who was in custody at the Labrador Correctional Centre.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMPsay they received a call from the correctional centre Thursday afternoon concerning "an inmate found alone and unresponsive in his cell."

The Natuashish man was brought to hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to a media release issued by police late Friday morning.

In a statement, the Department of Justice and Public Safety offered condolences to the man's family and friends, as well as the staff and inmates at the Labrador Correctional Centre.

"Pastoral care and mental health and addictions services are being provided, and cultural supports are being offered," the statement read.

The department said once the police investigation is complete, it will conduct an internal review.

Less than two months ago, Jonathan Henoche diedinside Her Majesty's Penitentiary while awaiting trial for the murder ofRegula Schule, 88, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 2016.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary isinvestigating Henoche's death as a homicide.

Police responded to HMP on Nov. 6, 2019, to reports of the death of the 33-year-old man. Sources say he was in a violentaltercation with correctional officers.

Lawsuits launched by families of other inmates who died

Prior to that, four inmates died while incarcerated in provincial correctional facilities within a span of just over a year:Samantha Piercey, Chris Sutton, Doug Neary and Skye Martin.

The families of Neary, Martinand Pierceyhave filed wrongful death lawsuits against the province.

Retired RNC superintendentMarlene Jesso was hired to complete areview oftheir deaths.

It found nothing to suggest correctional officers could have saved them, but instead admonished systemic issues inside the prison walls.

A heavily redacted version of the report listed 17 recommendations to build a new prison, create mental health units in the existing institutionsand cut down on the drug trade inside Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

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