WATCH: Steven Joseph Scott inquest jury makes 14 recommendations

PENTICTON, B.C. — He told police that he couldn’t breathe and needed medical help.

But officers at the Penticton RCMP lockup thought it was just a ruse to get out of jail, so no ambulance was ever called.

Steven Joseph Scott, 30, died a few hours later in his cell after choking from his own vomit as a result of alcohol withdrawal in August 2012.

Now two years after the incident, a coroner’s inquest jury is making recommendations to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances.

Candace Sabo, Scott’s half-sister, says his death was preventable and she hopes the inquest can help other families.

“How he died, he did not deserve that,” says Sabo. “I hope the way they (jail guards) change the way they handle stuff.”

Wednesday afternoon, the jurors released 14 recommendations.

The jury suggests that police and jail guards gain better knowledge of withdrawal symptoms, to enhance their ability to assess the need for medical treatment and intervention.

The coroner’s inquest was told that the Penticton lockup lacked manpower; one jail guard would work 12-hour shifts.

The jury recommends that the RCMP review current practices and policies related to the number of guards, their shift duration and the possibility of overlapping shifts in all cells facilities.

It also suggests to the Penticton detachment to consider establishing a mandatory two-guard shift.

In its recommendation to the province’s Minister of Health, it asks that the B.C. government study the feasibility of establishing an alcohol detoxification centre in the South Okanagan or fund a partner agency to operate one.