PAGC disturbed by recent in-custody deaths

Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10 Territory. Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC)’s leadership is concerned by the recent in-custody deaths of two inmates currently under investigation by the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) and RCMP. The investigations will be conducted by an external police agency and will be overseen by an Investigation Observer as appointed by the Deputy Minister of Justice through the Saskatchewan Police Act.

Within days, two unnamed individuals died while they were in custody. According to the PAPS, on Oct. 3, a 29-year-old man had gone into medical distress as police investigated a disturbance at the Victoria Hospital. Due to the seriousness of the distress, the man was transferred to the Royal University Hospital where he died a week later. On Oct. 8, a 35-year-old man who was remanded into custody at the PAPS detention area was located unresponsive in his cell on Oct. 11, and transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

An inquest under the direction of the Chief Coroner of Saskatchewan will take up to two years before details become public. In the meantime, Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said he is deeply concerned over in-custody deaths or any deaths that can be attributed to police actions.

“I understand that police deal with vulnerable people who often suffer from addictions; however, if you have the power to detain people then you have the responsibility to ensure that they are safe. The PAPS should not be in the business of locking up individuals who have underlying medical conditions if they are not professionally equipped to do so. Anything short of having proper medical staff and equipment to make sure prisoners are safe is unacceptable,” said Hardlotte.

PAGC demands transparency and accountability during the external investigation into the recent in custody deaths, as well as a process that ensures the PAPS is conducting its operations in a manner that displays care and compassion for the vulnerable who are policed within our community.

“It is our inherent and Treaty right to have a justice system that represents our interests and recognizes that our challenges are a result of historic traumas. It is also imperative that the police service goes above and beyond any recommendations to ensure the safety of those who are in their custody. We plan on closely following the processes in place to investigate these in-custody deaths, and we need assurances that a proper

inquiry is done. We will also be reviewing the recommendations made during past coroner’s inquests concerning in custody deaths,” said Hardlotte.

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Media enquiries may be directed to:

Tina Pelletier

Executive Office – Communications
Prince Albert Grand Council
Cell: 306-941-7120
Email: tpelletier@pagc.net

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