Inmate, 30, dies in prison seven months into sentence

Foul play is not suspected after a 30-year-old man died while in custody at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

Emergency services were called to the Prince Albert facility Wednesday night after correctional staff found Curtis Robert Cozart in his cell, according to Correctional Service Canada spokesman Jeff Campbell. Cozart was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 11 p.m.

The cause of death will be determined by the coroner’s office, Campbell said, adding “we don’t have any indications of foul play.”

He said there was no violent incident preceding the death.

Cozart began serving a 28-month sentence on Oct. 6 for assault with a weapon, assault, theft under $5,000, obstructing a peace officer and failing to comply with a probation order following a standoff with police in Moose Jaw. In 2016, he pulled a knife on police officers, at which time officers deployed a Taser. Even after that, Cozart fled from police onto a roof before being talked down.

Postmedia News, with files from Peter Lozinski, Prince Albert Daily Herald