Inmate’s death requires inquest, says national group

At the time of his death, McKenzie was serving a two-year sentence for breaching his recognizance and a break and enter. He was arrested in May 2018. Beaudin said when stressful situations arose, McKenzie coped by mixing alcohol with meth.

“You should not be going to prison for addictions. There is just no way you should be going there. You should be going to treatment and there should be assistance,” he said.

Upon McKenzie’s release from a previous sentence, he signed a Criminal Code Section 810 order which comes with a number of conditions he must abide by to remain out of custody. Refusal to sign the document can result in an additional year in custody. Beaudin said the court order was essentially McKenzie’s “death sentence.”

“I know that they know full well that it’s going to be very difficult to address those kinds of conditions. For example if you have addictions issues and you are an alcoholic, why would you put in there to abstain from drinking?” Beaudin asked.

McKenzie’s issues with addictions remained “unaddressed” according to Beaudin. (Facebook/Curtis McKenzie)

At the completion of the police investigation, the provincial coroner’s office may order an inquest if they are not satisfied the death was not preventable. Beaudin said an inquest will help get to the bottom of McKenzie’s death. He’s most interested in finding out why someone with a previous history of self-harm wasn’t watched more closely.

Prior to his latest sentence, McKenzie served other convictions at the prison. During one specific sentence he spent a considerable time in solitary confinement. With a contraband razor blade, he tried to cut off his own nose.

“He felt really shameful about doing that but he said he reached his wits’ end and he said nobody was listening to him and he was going crazy,” Beaudin explained, adding McKenzie never fought the idea of getting treatment, and said he would go if he could get access.

According to a 2018-19 report by the Office of the Correctional Investigator, 51 people died in federal custody, 32 of which were age-related, and six people died by suicide.

In the past 10 years, 39 per cent of federal prison deaths were suicides by inmates who identified as Indigenous. In many of those cases, a coroner’s inquest was held.

Beaudin said the lack of action is alarming.

“How many reports do you have to write, how many recommendations do you have to do to finally get it right?” he said.

In addition to providing more supports for inmates with mental health related issues, Beaudin said he would also like to see more support for families. In McKenzie’s case, his family travelled back and forth between La Ronge and Saskatoon and paid their own travel costs.

The wake and funeral for McKenzie are scheduled to take place next week in La Ronge. The wake will happen Monday night at Kitsaki Hall with the funeral to follow at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at St. Anglican’s Church.

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If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, you can contact the 24-hour Prince Albert Mobile Crisis unit at (306) 764-1011 or the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310. Services are offered in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktuk by request 24/7.

Warning Signs of Suicide:
• Suicidal threats
• Statements revealing a desire to die
• Previous suicide attempts
• Sudden changes in behaviour (withdrawal, apathy, moodiness)
• Depression (crying, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, hopelessness)
• Final arrangements (such as giving away personal possessions)

Communities in need of mental health crisis counselling services can call 1-866-885-3933 ext. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Inmate’s death requires inquest, says national group

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