Officers Failed To Follow Procedures Prior To Jail Cell Death: Review

HALIFAX — Correctional officers at a provincial jail in Cape Breton failed to follow proper procedures earlier this year when they placed a man in a cell, where he died of a drug overdose 13 hours later, Nova Scotia's Justice Department says.

 

The department's review of the case, released Monday, says that when Jason Marcel LeBlanc was admitted to the Cape Breton Correctional Facility on Jan. 30, staff did not get a required health transfer form or an explanation for why escorting officers didn't have one.

 

As well, the department concluded staff did not follow all steps in the strip search process, and they failed to complete their rounds at standard intervals.

 

"Failures to meet the standards established in policy will be addressed through disciplinary action, where appropriate, and through coaching," the review said.

 

The review says the 42-year-old labourer, who was arrested for a parole violation, was seen by health-care staff when he was admitted, but it says he did not show signs of impairment or indicate any health concerns.

 

"No information was provided at the time of the offender's admission that indicated any health concerns or that drugs had been consumed prior to admission," the review says.

 

The department says no contraband was found on LeBlanc, but it says images taken by a surveillance camera inside the cell suggest he had probably consumed illicit drugs taken from a small bag concealed in a body cavity.

 

Provincial legislation does not allow correctional officers to conduct invasive internal searches.

 

It appears LeBlanc consumed the pills as early as 1:44 p.m., a half hour after he arrived at the jail, the review says, adding that he was seen by health-care staff at 3:43 p.m. and again at 6:33 p.m., before falling asleep at 7:44 p.m.

 

"No recommendation or advice was received from health care for special precautions, special watch of the offender or that the offender should be transported to the hospital," the review says.

 

The review did not include any input from health-care staff or a review of health records because such measures are prevented by the Personal Health Information Act, the department said.

 

"My heart goes out to Mr. LeBlanc's family and loved ones," Justice Minister Diana Whalen said in statement. "We will use this tragic situation to improve our procedures going forward."