Province establishes Deaths-in-Custody Review Committee

CITYnews halifax \ By Dan Ahlstrand

The Province says it will establish a new standing committee that will delve into the circumstances surrounding deaths occurring within provincial correctional service facilities, identify trends and make recommendations to prevent deaths in the future. Brad Johns, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Justice, says the committee’s findings will be made public after the Minister’s review to shed light on the incidents and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

“The Deaths-in-Custody Review Committee will provide answers in the tragic event that someone in one of our provincial correctional facilities dies suddenly and unexpectedly,” stated Minister Johns.

Led by Dr. Matt Bowes, the Province’s Chief Medical Examiner, the committee comprises subject matter experts, community members, and representatives from diverse backgrounds. The committee will have access to personal and health information held by other provincial departments and public bodies to allow for an in-depth examination to help identify trends in deaths and to make recommendations on improvements.

“Death review committees allow for a more timely, in-depth review of the deaths that occur. It’s my hope the families find some comfort and confidence from the findings of a death review committee and know that the death of their loved one has been independently examined by experts,” said Dr. Bowes.

This committee, the third established under the Fatality Investigations Act, follows the creation of previous committees focusing on deaths of children in care and deaths related to domestic violence. Its annual reports, including recommendations for system enhancements, will be made available to the public.