By Taylor MacPherson

RCMP, coroner investigating inmate death at Sask. Pen

Dec 15, 2016 | 1:39 PM

The RCMP Major Crimes Unit North is conducting an investigation into the death of an inmate at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

Corrections Canada said Jason Leonard Bird, 43, was found yesterday by penitentiary staff along with two other medium-security prisoners. Bird was unresponsive when he was located. All three, including Bird, suffered serious injuries apparently resulting from assaults by other inmates. The injured prisoners were taken to hospital where Bird was pronounced dead. One of the other injured inmates was returned to the facility yesterday.

The timeline is unclear, but paNOW has confirmed there was a riot in the penitentiary involving roughly 185 inmates in a medium-security unit. Whether or not Bird was injured in a riot or if a riot ensued after his death is unclear.

During the riot, corrections officers opened fire during the struggle for control of the unit, injuring a further six inmates.

Correctional Service Canada confirmed Bird was serving a sentence of two years and seven months for break-and-enter offenses which began Feb. 16. His next of kin have been notified, and an autopsy will take place in Saskatoon either Friday or early next week.

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Corrections spokesperson Jeff Campbell said an external investigation is standard when an inmate dies in custody.

“When there’s a death involved we notify police and the coroner,” Campbell said.

The penitentiary remains in a state of lockdown with all visitations suspended until further notice.

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