External review to look at three inmate deaths in Newfoundland jails: Justice

Newfoundland and Labrador announced Monday an independent review of three deaths in provincial jails since August - including two female inmates in the last five weeks.

Justice Minister Andrew Parsons said retired police Supt. Marlene Jesso will examine how correctional staff responded and whether policy and procedures are appropriate.

“We’re accountable for these individuals that are in our care and control,” Parsons said in an interview.

“When you have three in this short span of time, we want to find out what is going on.”

Police say an inmate at the Clarenville Correctional Centre for Women died suddenly Saturday, but offered no details on the cause or circumstances.

In April, a 27-year-old woman died at the same facility after alerting prison staff that she was in distress. Police said she had choked on food.

And on Aug. 31, a 37-year-old male inmate at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary died suddenly. Police did not indicate the death was suspicious.

Parsons said the review, which is to start once investigations by the RCMP and chief medical examiner conclude, does not suggest correctional staff were at fault.

“Doing an investigation is not any implication of wrongdoing. I have great, great respect for our correctional officers. That respect has been echoed by many of the people that reside in these institutions.

“Maybe we have to look at - even if procedure was being followed appropriately - do we require a change of the procedure itself?”

Parsons said there’s growing recognition that many people wind up behind bars because of mental health and addiction issues.