RCMP investigate death of inmate from Madawaska jail, inquest ordered
CBC
RCMP are investigating the death of an inmate at the Madawaska Regional Correctional Centre on Thursday, and a coroner's inquest will be held.
Jarrett Lorne Lunn, 24, was discovered unresponsive at the jail March 31, according to the Department of Justice and Public Safety.
Jail staff administered first aid, and Lunn was transported to the Edmundston Regional Hospital, where he died early Thursday morning, department spokesperson Geoffrey Downey said in a news release.
Lunn was being held on remand awaiting a court appearance, the release said.
No information about the charge or charges he was facing has been released.
This is the third death of an inmate in as many months and the second from the Madawaska Regional Correctional Centre. Coroner's inquests have been ordered in the other two cases as well.
"While most deaths of people in custody do lead to an inquest, an inquest is not mandatory by law in such cases," Downey has previously said.
He did not immediately respond to questions about whether Lunn was alone in a locked cell when he was discovered, or what he was treated in hospital for.
Nor did he immediately say how long Lunn had been in custody or when he was due to appear in court.
Details of the inquest into Lunn's death, including the presiding coroner, schedule and location, will be determined after all investigations have been concluded, the release said.
During a coroner's inquest, a coroner and jury publicly hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses to determine the facts surrounding a death.
The jury has an opportunity to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths. An inquest does not make any findings of legal responsibility.
On Feb. 6, inmate Wesley Robert Geneau, 40, was found unresponsive at the Madawaska jail. Staff administered first aid, and Geneau was transported to the Edmundston Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
"Neither foul play nor self-harm are suspected," the department said at the time.
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