The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, and the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, today released the report ‘Newfoundland and Labrador Corrections and Community Services: Deaths in Custody Review.’
The review, by retired RNC Superintendent Marlene Jesso, was commissioned following four deaths at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary and the Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women between August 31, 2017, and June 30, 2018. It examined staff response along with the appropriateness of related policies and procedures.
The report makes 17 recommendations to the Provincial Government to improve the delivery of services and practices within adult custody in the province. These recommendations have been accepted in principle and work is ongoing to address the issues identified. A copy of the report can be found at www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/publications/pdf/Death_Custody_Review.pdf .
Quotes
“Ensuring we have a safe and healthy living and work environment in our correctional facilities is a top priority. We acknowledge there is much work to do and a lot of important work ongoing to address many of the issues identified in this report. I want to thank Ms. Jesso and her team for their expertise and timely reporting. We have engaged with the families of the four individuals involved in this review process and express sincere condolences to their family and friends. I hope this report will result in an improved correctional system.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
“We will continue to expand access to health programs and services in correctional settings while we finalize the transition of responsibility. Once transferred, inmates will have equitable access to health care services compared to those available in community. More importantly, we will have a system in place that integrates the health needs of the person at all stages while in custody – from screening and assessment, treatment planning, and discharge planning, with a focus on continuity of care and transitioning to community-based services.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
– 30 –
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Corrections and Community Services: Deaths in Custody Review
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL, @JPS_GovNL and @HCS_GovNL
Media contacts
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
LesleyClarke@gov.nl.ca
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
KathyDicksPeyton@gov.nl.ca