The family of a teenager who died in the Prince Albert Youth Facility hopes the inquest into his death can prevent similar deaths in the future.
Dylan LaChance, who suffered form a hearing and speech impairment, passed away after he was at the facility in September 2013.
LaChance was taken to the facility after getting in a fight on Sept. 11, 2013.
During the fight, he was kicked in the back and was diagnosed by a doctor with lower back pain.
Staff at PAYR testified at the inquest on Monday they had a difficult time communicating with LaChance because of his disabilities and were unable to fully comprehend the extent of his injuries.
On Sept. 19, 2013, he was found to be in medical distress and transported to hospital where he later died.
Family support person Angie Bear says they are hopeful the inquest will show how things could have been handled differently.
“How can we prevent this from happening again, how can we keep Dylan’s death from being in vain and what good can come of it,” she says.
Bear also says the family hopes the inquest can help change the way the system deals with incarcerated youth.
“A lot of the youth are coming from a place where they are mistreated and they don’t get much support, so how can we build that into the justice system, so they don’t fall through the cracks.”
The inquest runs all week in Prince Albert.
At the conclusion of the inquest, a coroner’s jury will make recommendations with the goal of preventing similar deaths in the future.