REGINA – An investigation is underway after a woman being held at Regina’s White Birch Remand Centre For Women died Thursday morning.
Foul play is not suspected in her death.
Officials said staff performed CPR on the woman after she went into medical distress around 8:00 a.m. Despite their efforts she died half an hour later.
The woman won’t been identified until her next of kin are notified and Drew Wilby with the Ministry of Justice said the incident is being thoroughly investigated.
“When these things happen, three things occur: A police investigation takes place as well an internal investigation to determine what may have occurred, what we can learn from that, and if any policies or procedures need to be changed,” he explained. “Thirdly, it will be referred to the coroner and, more than likely, the coroner will do an inquest into the situation.”
Officials said due to security at the facility they can’t comment on any policy around cell checks or how often they occur, but add the internal investigation will determine if any changes need to be made.
Wilby said the centre can hold 18 women in double bunked cells but Thursday morning there were 15 in custody.
This is the first death at the facility since it opened in February, 2014.
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