The exact reason why Daniel Tokarchuk took his own life remains unclear. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Inquest results

Coroner’s jury recommends changes in policy and training for corrections officers at Sask. Pen

Oct 9, 2020 | 11:00 AM

Changes to inmate security checks and improved communication between officers and physicians are among the six recommendations from the jury at the conclusion of a coroner’s inquest in Prince Albert.

Daniel Tokarchuk, 44, who was residing in the minimum security unit at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, died by suicide in the early morning hours of June 7, 2017. At the time of his death he was serving an indeterminate sentence for second-degree murder, and recently separated from his spouse.

Over the course of four days, the jury heard from 16 witnesses including staff members at the prison, RCMP investigators, Parkland Ambulance paramedics, psychiatrists and members of Tokarchuk’s case management team.

On the first day of the inquest, the lead RCMP investigator testified Tokarchuk was fine when he was checked on him at 1:30 a.m. When correctional officers returned two hours later, Tokarchuk was found hanging on the back of his bedroom door. To help prevent the possibility of predictability, the jury recommended corrections officers in the minimum security unit be provided with the ability to stagger their evening security checks.

Troy Antal also testified he found medication for depression in Tokarchuk’s room. Another one of the jury’s recommendations dealt directly with a better monitoring system of the prescription drugs inmates are using. The jury recommended in the event of an offender sustaining a material alteration in their prescription medications, and in particular to prescription medications relating to mental healthcare, that the offender’s condition be re-assessed by a physician within a reasonable period thereafter.

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According to testimony this week from one of the responding correctional officers, he and others cut Tokarchuk free using a knife from the kitchen, rather than the emergency knife (known as a 9-1-1 tool). The correctional officer explained they receive little to no training on how to use the emergency knives and he expressed a desire for all officers to have a functioning 9-1-1 tool readily available at all times.

The jury recommended that in the minimum security facility at Sask. Pen, all corrections officers should carry a 9-1-1 tool for evening security checks and added all officers should be trained in the use and operation of the 9-1-1 tool regularly.

One of the unanswered questions from the week was why Tokarchuk ultimately decided to end his life. He did not leave a note. While there were suggestions he was depressed after his separation, testimony this week indicated Tokarchuk was well-liked and very active. At least two witnesses testified they were “surprised” by the news of Tokarchuk’s sudden death and explained there were no signs he was struggling with suicidal thoughts. One of those witnesses was a member of Tokarchuks’s case management team, who testified he took a leave of absence after hearing the grim news.

There were no members of Tokarchuk’s family present for the conclusion of the inquest Thursday.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell