Independent Review of Inmate Deaths at Provincial Correctional Institutions Complete

  • Justice and Public Safety

December 14, 2018

The following statement was issued today by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:


The Department of Justice and Public Safety has received a copy of the report ‘Newfoundland and Labrador Corrections and Community Services: Deaths in Custody Review.’

The review was commissioned following the deaths at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary and the Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women between August 31, 2017, and June 30, 2018. The review by retired RNC Superintendent Marlene Jesso, examined staff response along with the appropriateness of related policies and procedures. I would like to thank Ms. Jesso and her team for their work on this review and their expertise and timely reporting.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety is in the process of making arrangements to meet with the families of those involved. Out of respect for their loss, the report’s findings and recommendations will be released publicly only after being discussed with the respective families.

To the families of the inmates, I can only hope that this review and my resolve to do better brings you closure during these difficult times.

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Media contact
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca

2018 12 14 1:15 pm