Prison death raises issues on use of force: watchdog
HALIFAX• The disturbing death of a Cape Breton man who was pepper-sprayed four times in the face in rapid succession raises concerns about both how guards restrain inmates and the quality of health care afterward, says Canada’s correctional investigator.
Howard Sapers said his office is delving further into the circumstances surrounding the death of 33- year- old Matthew Hines after the release of a board of investigation report into his death last May following a struggle with guards at Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick.
“When we took a look at the circumstances surrounding his death it raised some concerns … around the use of force and the medical response to his situation,” said the federal watchdog, who has access to full, uncensored accounts of the deaths.
The report prepared for Correctional Service Canada says correctional officers used five blasts of pepper spray, including four administered to Hines’ face just seconds apart on May 26, after the 33-year-old inmate refused to return to his cell.
The three- person panel says the use of force was inappropriate, noting that Hines was “under sufficient control of the staff ” at the time of the repeated spraying.
The report, provided to The Canadian Press by the family, also says that when Hines was taken to a shower to remove the pepper spray, he fell backward while still handcuffed and with his shirt over his head. As an officer tried to remove Hines’ shirt the inmate said, “Please I’m begging you,” and kicked out with his right leg.
The report says Hines had a seizure at 10:29 p.m. and he was taken to the prison health wing where the nurse “appeared to have conducted no assessments ... nor provided any treatment.” He was transported to hospital in Moncton and died after midnight. The report says Hines was on parole and staying with his elderly parents when his mother called 911 late on April 18, 2015. She reported what appeared to be a psychotic episode, saying Hines was having hallucinations.
Hines was arrested, taken to a provincial facility and then later transferred to the federal prison, where he was serving a five- year sentence for robbery. The report says his prison health- care records showed he had abnormal blood pressure and was continuing to receive a medication that can contribute to seizures if taken in excess.