Witnesses at Coroner’s Inquest suggest more mental health supports needed at Sask. Pen

Chris Bates, the manager in charge at the time, testified mental health workers work Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and nurses go home at 7 p.m. So when McKenzie’s medical emergency happened after 8 p.m., it was up to Bates to make the call on what to do.

He explained quite often he is in situations where he has to make decisions he is not trained for; and often when unsure, will recommend the inmate be sent to Victoria Hospital.

“There’s no one else to lean on at that time,” he said.

Upon his return to the prison, McKenzie was placed in a medical observation cell. Bates explained McKenzie was checked every 15 minutes by correctional officers and continuously by security cameras. When asked by lawyers if he could recall any issues during that time, Bates said no.

“Someone would have contacted me,” he said.

Later that day, McKenzie attempted suicide in his own cell and passed away in hospital over a week later. Bates explained the only person who can make the call to remove someone from a medical observation cell is the Warden.

Curtis McKenzie had a history of self-harm and on February, 25, 2020, finished the job he started five years prior. (Facebook)

Also testifying on Tuesday was the physician on duty when McKenzie was admitted to Victoria Hospital. Dr. Jacobus Van Der Merwe explained he first made contact with McKenzie just after 10 p.m., about an hour and a half after McKenzie had first been registered by the triage nurse.

‘”That’s normal,” the doctor explained when asked about the patient wait time.

Discussing his own conversation with McKenzie, Van Der Merwe recalled McKenzie appeared calm and did not ask for any pain medication.

“He said he was having dark thoughts, thoughts of suicide,” the doctor said, adding he had also been told McKenzie had flushed his nose down the toilet.

Van Der Merwe was asked several times about the procedure relating to inmates with mental health and he explained they receive medical treatment at the hospital, but the psychiatric assessment gets done back at the prison upon referral.

Confirming he had made the referral, the doctor could not recall if a follow-up was done, but also added he was unsure if it would have changed the outcome.

Moving forward, Dr. Van Der Merwe recommended there be improved communication between the hospital and the prison.

The inquest is expected to last all week and will include a total of 27 witnesses. Just over half had testified by the end of Tuesday’s proceedings.

The purpose of the hearing is to establish who died, when and where that person died and the medical cause and manner of death. The coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact:

Canada Suicide Prevention Service (1-833-456-4566), Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service (306-933-6200), Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit (306-764-1011), Regina Mobile Crisis Services (306-525-5333) or the Hope for Wellness Help Line, which provides culturally competent crisis intervention counseling support for Indigenous peoples at (1-855-242-3310).

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Witnesses at Coroner’s Inquest suggest more mental health supports needed at Sask. Pen

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