Curtis McKenzie. (Facebook/Curtis McKenzie)

By Nigel Maxwell

Correctional changes

Next of kin, Corrections respond to Coroner’s Inquest recommendations

Nov 8, 2022 | 5:00 PM

For Stan Tu’Inukuafe, Curtis McKenzie was more than someone he was helping; he was like family.

Tu’Inukuafe, co-founder of STR8 UP, a non-profit Saskatoon-based group that helps gang members leave the lifestyle, was officially McKenzie’s next of kin and so was the first person contacted when the 27-year-old attempted suicide Feb. 26, 2020.

Describing the call as heart-wrenching, Tu’Inukuafe said he was fully aware of McKenzie’s past history of depression, but explained he never thought McKenzie would actually try to end his life.

“That just speaks volumes to me how low he was at that time and for me it was difficult how staff couldn’t see that in him,” Tu’Inukuafe said.

The Coroner’s Inquest into McKenzie’s death was held last week at Prince Albert’s Coronet Hotel and the jury returned with eight recommendations to help prevent similar deaths from happening in the future. Included with the recommendations, to help improve assessments of inmates, were lower case loads for nurses and parole officers, and an interview room for assessing inmates who, like McKenzie, may have been placed in a medical observation cell.

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During the inquest it was revealed that the medical health officer who performed the assessment, had done so through the cell’s food door. McKenzie was ultimately released back to the range and attempted suicide not soon after.

Reflecting on the jury’s recommendations, Tu’Inukuafe explained he was reminded of a quote familiar to those who have done a lot of jail time.

“The quote goes we are used to being watched, but we are not used to being seen,” he said, explaining the moment a person arrives at the institution, there’s always a camera watching them.

Tu’Inukuafe said the system has always been good at surveillance but falls short when it comes to getting to know offenders’ needs. So after hearing suggestions for improved communication, Tu’Inukuafe feels encouraged.

“To me that speaks to actually getting to know the individual. Not from a surveillance point of view but from a human point of view,” he said.

Tu’Inukuafe met McKenzie in 2017 when McKenzie was still in custody at the Regional Psychiatric Centre (RPC) in Saskatoon. When McKenzie was released into the community in Sept., 2019, the two men travelled to various communities together doing presentations.

“There’s always people who don’t want support but with Curtis he was always open to support. He was one of those individuals that wanted to do well, wanted to excel and wanted to address his mental health so he didn’t have to go back to jail,” Tu’Inukuafe said.

Three months after release, McKenzie breached his release conditions and was sent back to Sask. Penitentiary. Tu’Inukuafe admitted he was surprised McKenzie was not sent back to RPC, adding McKenzie’s history should have by that time already been well documented.

Moving forward Tu’Inukuafe said his next questions relate to accountability and ensuring the recommendations get followed.

“Who is checking in to make sure people are making progress?” he asked.

As next of kin, it was Tu’Inukuafe who made the effort to track down McKenzie’s mother in La Ronge, and inform her what happened to her son. Tu’Inukuafe recalled how well the community stepped up to assist the family, noting the meal provided at the Bernice Sayase center.

“That shows me [the] community should be more involved in working with individuals because that’s where they are getting released to,” he said.

Response from CSC

Following the completion of the Coroner’s Inquest, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) confirmed for paNOW through a statement, they will convene an internal Board of Investigation (BOI).

“CSC will complete a full review of any recommendations we receive as a result of a Coroner’s Inquest, and give these recommendations our full consideration. We will continually monitor and evaluate all our policies and programs, including those that may be made in relation to recommendations issued by a jury,” the statement said.

Investigation processes are conducted as per Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 041 – Incident Investigations. Like all CSC Investigations into deaths in custody, it includes a member of the community as a board member.

“BOIs and Coroner’s Inquests offer an opportunity for CSC to improve the way we manage inmates under our care and custody,” the statement said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell