Eaglechild Inquest Jurors Recommend Changes

Eaglechild Inquest Jurors Recommend Changes

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 15:21

 

 

An inquest into the death of a Patuanak man concluded today in Prince Albert.

 

For the past two days, jurors at a Queen’s Bench court heard testimony and evidence from witnesses associated with the death of 50-year-old Abraham Eaglechild.

 

Guards at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre discovered his body hanging from a closet in his cell the morning of August 28th, 2004.

 

He was on remand at the time and much of the inquest focused on the amount of activities available to inmates who were on remand.

 

Family members told court Eaglechild was openly depressed about not having anyone to talk to — and about being in a strange environment.

 

Following testimony, the jurors recommended that more emotional and psychological check-ups be done on inmates who are on remand.

 

They also recommended more physical and mental activities be made available to them, as well.

 

Bernadette Eaglechild, the victim’s wife, says she feels her husband would have done better in a northern institution — one where he could have spoken to others in his own language.

 

During the inquest, she also expressed disappointment about a lack of sensitivity she felt staff at the institution displayed towards her husband’s death.

 

The matter is now concluded.

 

Recommendations from the jury will now be studied by various authorities.