Inmate ‘very polite’ before death in Pine Grove cell, inquest hears
Witnesses testifying on the first day of an inquest into the death of Pine Grove Correctional Centre inmate Shauna Wolf said they saw little out of the ordinary prior to the discovery of her body on Dec. 27, 2015.
Corrections workers who took the stand in Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench testified Wolf was personable in the hours before her death. Giard Lisa Nazar described her as “very polite.”
Nazar and co-worker Heidi Huziek were the two guards on duty in the segregation unit, where Wolf was being held that day.
Huziek said she spoke to Wolf and checked on her multiple times, but noticed nothing unusual. She said Wolf was sitting upright and appeared to be breathing.
Wolf had been moved to the segregation unit after spending a night under observation in a medical cell. There was some concern she was suffering heroin withdrawal.
Lawyer Ammy Murray, who represents the Wolf family, repeatedly asked corrections workers if they were told about Wolf’s medical condition, and if they were given specific instructions about watching her. All said they receive little if any medical information about inmates, except in very specific cases such as those involving mental health issued or suicide risk.
Wolf had been prescribed medication during her stay in the medical cell. On the day of her death she initially refused to take it before changing her mind later in the evening, the inquest heard.