EDMONTON – A 31-year-old inmate died after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Edmonton Institution, a maximum security prison. Officials said his case is one of five suspected drug overdoses in the last two days, though no other inmates died.
Ryan Witvoet was found on Thursday. Prison staff immediately started CPR and emergency services were called.
Witvoet was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:10 p.m.
He was serving a six-year, four-month sentence which began on Sept. 24, 2012 for several offences including possession of property obtained by crime, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
The man’s family has been notified of his death.
Correctional Service Canada will review the circumstances of the incident.
The Edmonton Institution made news on Thursday, after some inmates overdosed. Three prisoners were sent to hospital Wednesday; another inmate was found unresponsive Thursday morning. None died, but the incident prompted officials to test whether the inmates ingested fentanyl.
READ MORE: Alberta prison overdoses prompt officials to question whether fentanyl to blame
Acting Deputy Warden Mark Otto said Friday officials don’t know what substance was involved.
One inmate remains in hospital in stable condition, three others are back at the institution.
Otto said the lockdown remains in effect.
Fentanyl overdoses have recently spiked in Western Canada, with about 145 deaths in Alberta so far in 2015.
With files from The Canadian Press
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