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NLIS 2
July 14, 2000
(Justice)


Department releases report into death of Adam Okkuatsiak

The Department of Justice has released the judicial inquiry report into the sudden death of Adam Okkuatsiak which occurred at the Labrador Correctional Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, on January 23, 1998. Okkuatsiak, 41, of Nain, Labrador, was an inmate at the facility. He died of a heart attack.

Justice Minister Kelvin Parsons noted today that Chief Judge Donald Luther made eight recommendations in the inquiry report, dealing with such matters as language translation, cultural awareness, staffing, communication, policies and procedures, medical availability, and others. The report concludes that racism was not a factor in Mr. Okkuatsiak�s death. Indeed, there was significant evidence that staff and inmates got along well. Minister Parsons said that the Department of Justice is in the process of implementing measures to address the concerns identified in the report.

"Sudden deaths can occur anywhere and at anytime," said Minister Parsons. "As Chief Judge Donald Luther stated in his inquiry report, �It is quite possible that, even if he were given the best of medical treatment, that he (Adam Okkuatsiak) would not be alive today.�"

The report discloses that in the presence of an interpreter, when asked if he needed to see a doctor or go to the hospital, after it was revealed that he had chest pains earlier that day, Mr. Okkuatsiak declined two or three times said Minister Parsons. "Since Mr. Okkuatsiak�s death, the Division of Corrections and Community Services has introduced a medical screening form to assist correctional officers in identifying potential medical problems during the prisoner admitting process.

"In addition, correctional officers are clearly instructed to arrange escort for medical assessment if there is any doubt about a prisoner�s health, and are not expected to make medical judgements."

The minister further stated that, "the Labrador Correctional Centre is only minutes from the local hospital." He also pointed out that the number of incidents requiring emergency medical attention at any of the province�s closed custody facilities is low.

With respect to language translation and cultural awareness, the services of an Inuit interpreter are available at the Labrador Correctional Centre, and the Department of Justice is actively seeking the services of an Innu interpreter.

"The ideal solution is to recruit, train and re-train full-time, permanent aboriginal corrections personnel, however attempts to date have been unsuccessful," he added. "The department will continue to work with aboriginal groups, will explore with NAPE, the union which represents correctional officers, the possibility of offering a correctional officer recruitment program specifically designed for Labrador residents."

Copies of the inquiry report are available through the Department of Justice or by calling (709) 729-6564.

Improvements made at the Labrador Correctional Centre
since Adam Okkuatsiak�s death

The services of an Inuit interpreter are available at the Labrador Correctional Centre. Government has approved funding for an Innu interpreter and the Department of Justice will be seeking these services.

It has been ordered that inmates will not be used as interpreters for other inmates except in routine matters.

Upon entry to the facility, all inmates are being assessed as to their ability to speak and understand the english language.

We are attempting to identify an accredited cultural awareness training program for the staff at the Labrador Correctional Centre.

The department will explore with NAPE, the union which represents correctional officers, the possibility of offering a correctional officer recruitment program specifically designed for Labrador residents.

A new electronic filing system for inmates has been installed and is being used by staff. The use of such a system allows staff to retrieve general medical information on an inmate, while still maintaining confidentiality.

The Corrections and Community Services Division has implemented a policy not to receive an inmate from another jurisdiction unless a medical file accompanies the inmate concerned.

The Corrections Division is currently reviewing all policy directives. Senior managers have been assigned responsibility for conducting reviews of specific chapters of the Divisional Policy Manual and Operational Procedures Manual. Proposed revisions are to be submitted to the director for review.

We have met with the Department of Health and Community Services and other health professionals to develop a policy to assist corrections staff in determining the need for escort to hospital.

The investigation of deaths in custody are always conducted independently by the province�s chief medical examiner in conjunction with the police. The Corrections and Community Services Division will from now on, be conducting any internal investigations by using correctional officer or other investigators who do not work at the facility in which an incident is being investigated.

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications, (709) 729-6564.

2000 07 14                             12:40 p.m.


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