Inquest jury comes back with 10 recommendations aimed at stopping inmate suicides

By Jaryn Vecchio

CONTENT WARNING: The following story contains graphic depictions of self-harm and suicide.

The jury in the inquest into an inmate’s death at the Pine Grove Correctional Centre in Prince Albert has come back with 10 recommendations to try and avoid similar situations in the future.

For three days, questions have been asked on how Cassandra Ross was able to take her own life in July of 2020 despite being watched over by multiple correction officers (CO) and having a history of self-harm.

An exact timeline of her death was discussed during the inquiry.

Among the recommendations is ensuring that all inmates have better access to mental health professionals and that all employees have to go through training on mental health, suicide awareness, and prevention at least every two years.

Several of the witnesses, who were COs who responded to Ross’ death, stated they received little to no training around these topics.

Another recommendation has employees review all nightly reports, intake assessments, and any other important information on each of their inmates at the start of every shift. The jury also believes employees should have limited internet access after two COs admitted they were watching YouTube when Ross took her own life.

The jury also recommended creating a risk assessment specialist position who can look for any hazards that could be used to harm someone and ensure all hazards are permanently fixed once they’ve been highlighted. This was included as Ross was able to keep her bedsheet, which she used to take her own life, tied tight by securing it through a small gap between the top half of her bunk bed and the wall.

The last recommendations focus on studying the effects of long shifts on employees and ensuring multiple 9-1-1 tools, a roughly four-inch blade which in Ross’ case was used to cut the bedsheet, are readily available in secure locations.

Family reacts

Cole Ross, Cassandra’s brother, was at the inquest all three days and had the chance to ask each witness questions.

Overall, he said he was happy with the recommendations but believes there could have been more, such as improving communication — especially how long it takes — between inmates and outside sources like doctors and mental health specialists.

He also wanted to see a focus on helping inmates cope with being locked in a cell for as many as 23 hours a day.

“You don’t necessarily need to be out of your cell more, but more things to do in your cell or more interactions,” he said.

Unfortunately, Cole Ross doesn’t have a lot of confidence in Pine Grove following all 10 recommendations. He noted his confidence level was a three out of 10.

“I think it will lower the risk of it happening again, but I don’t think it will completely stop it,” he said.

He also wants to see all institutions, not just Pine Grove, implement these recommendations to ensure tragedies like his sister’s death are few and far between.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact: Canada Suicide Prevention Service (1-833-456-4566), Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service (306-933-6200), Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit (306-764-1011), Regina Mobile Crisis Services (306-525-5333) or the Hope for Wellness Help Line, which provides culturally competent crisis intervention counselling support for Indigenous peoples at (1-855-242-3310).