Sask. Pen Warden testifies at Coroner’s Inquest

Through testimony on Wednesday, it was learned the reason McKenzie’s Wellbutrin had been discontinued was that he had been caught hiding the pills in his cheeks, before crushing them up to snort them. Bird explained since coming to the prison in the fall of 2016, he has never before seen so many different medications received by inmates.

“And you’ve got to try and fit all that into your day,” he said.

When asked about the possibility of more mouth checking, Bird explained it’s not that simple, citing one example where an inmate may swallow their pill, only to throw it up later and use it for other purposes. But with that, Bird did explain the institution is in the process of looking at alternative methods of delivery.

The night prior to his death, McKenzie had cut off the rest of his nose and later explained it was because he didn’t know what his release plan was going to be. (Facebook)

While the warden has the authority to make operational changes on-site, all policy changes are essentially in the hands of the Correctional Service of Canada.

Acknowledging this information, presiding coroner Tim Hawryluk asked Bird directly if he would consider making a recommendation to review best practices and policies with respect to ways to mitigate diversion of more prominent drugs, but also offenders deemed a high risk to diverge. Bird confirmed he would.

Another key piece of evidence discussed this week was the fact just hours prior to his suicide attempt, McKenzie had been released from an observation cell and allowed to return to his regular cell in the medium security unit. The medical health officer (MHO) who made the recommendation had been on the job less than two months and had only received four hours of online training related to self-harm and suicide prevention. She was also not a licensed clinician and her assessment of McKenzie was her first assessment.

Bird explained that current policy dictates that an unlicensed medical health officer has the authority to make that decision so long as it’s done under the direct supervision of someone who is a licensed practitioner. In this case, the MHO consulted with two regional psychiatric nurses as well as a social worker.

Bird confirmed that following McKenzie’s death, a rule change had been made on site where only a licensed clinician can do the assessment. However, within the actual CSC policy, the wording related to supervision still remains.

Also during his testimony, Bird touched on the fact that he would love to have more staff, but has to live within his budget. He then described the difficulties with hiring health practitioners to work at the prison, adding it takes a special person to be a clinician, but an even more special person to be a clinician at the prison.

“That doesn’t mean we give up,” he said.

Skylar Ursu, the medical health officer who made the recommendation to have McKenzie released from the observation cell, broke down in tears several times during her testimony earlier in the day.

“I did what I thought was right,” she said.

Ursu explained that prior to making the recommendation she had sought out advice from two psychiatric nurses as well as a social worker. And during the assessment, McKenzie himself had told Ursu he wanted to return to his range, explaining how he felt the walls of the observation cells were closing in and that he had more supports back on the range with respect to his friends, his drawing, and his music.

“I would not have recommended release had I thought he was going to commit suicide,” she said.

When asked what changes she would recommend, Ursu said more medical staff with extended hours; more mental health training; and a separate interview room for conducting assessments.

At the time she had spoken to McKenzie, the two had talked through the food slot of the observation cell.

Another witness on Thursday was McKenzie’s parole officer Justin Wasylyk who explained McKenzie was scheduled for release on April 3, 2020, and a plan had been set up with respect to housing and counseling.

During testimony this week, it was revealed some of McKenzie’s anxiety and recent self-harm were tied to his thoughts about his release. When asked why inmates would be so upset at this idea, Wasyluk explained offenders often get worried about where they live, how they will support themselves; or that they will return to their old ways.

With respect to his own recommendations, Wasylyk suggested a lighter caseload for parole officers to allow for more time with each offender and hiring an addictions worker at the penitentiary. He added that while there were inmate-driven AA meetings, those have all come to a stop during COVID.

Around 2 p.m. the six-person jury was given its final instructions and is now deliberating. When they return, they are expected to have a list of recommendations to prevent similar deaths from happening in the future.

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).

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Sask. Pen Warden testifies at Coroner’s Inquest

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