The Correctional Service of Canada has announced that an inmate from the Federal Training Centre, multi-level unit, in Laval, died as an apparent result of complications related to COVID-19 on May 3.
The inmate’s next of kin were notified of the death and CSC extended its condolences to the family. As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, CSC also notified the coroner’s office, which will review the circumstances of the death.
According to the CSC, it was the second death related to COVID-19 among federally sentenced inmates. The corrections agency said their protocols during the current COVID-19 crisis call for medically-isolating inmates who show symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, in order to prevent the spread of infection.
“We have modified routines, and put in place measures such as physical distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, cleaning and disinfecting protocols,” a spokesperson for the CSC said in a statement, while adding that all CSC workers and inmates are also provided with masks to prevent spread.
The CSC says it has dedicated health services and medical professionals in all of its institutions. They say they also work closely and collaboratively with local public health partners and hospitals to provide complete and quality medical care to those who need it and to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Laval News, marty@newsfirst.ca
