2 correctional officers charged in 2015 death of N.B. inmate

RCMP have charged two correctional officers in connection with the 2015 death of an inmate after he was repeatedly pepper sprayed at the Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick.

Alvida Ross, 48, and Mathieu Bourgoin, 31, both of Dieppe, N.B., have been charged with one count each of manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in the death of Matthew Ryan Hines.

Hines had been serving a five-year sentence at the penitentiary when New Brunswick RCMP were alerted on May 27, 2015 that an inmate was pronounced dead at Moncton City Hospital.

“Hines… was found in need of medical attention,” the original release from Corrections Canada reads. “Staff members immediately begin performing CPR and emergency services were called.”

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An investigation by the New Brunswick RCMP found that foul play was not suspected.

However, Nova Scotia RCMP reviewed the file when additional information became available in May 2016. According to the RCMP, the new information resulted in the charges.

The news of the charges was met with relief from the Hines family.

“Our parents waited far too long to be told the truth of how Matthew died, and now we feel it is fundamentally important to all Canadians that justice be done,” said the family in a  press release.

“We now trust that all those involved in the criminal matter will ensure that there is no further delay.”

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A report released earlier this year by Canada’s correctional investigator found that the repeated use of pepper spray at very close range contributed to Hines’ death.

The review found that correctional staff had used unnecessary physical and chemical force, even as Hines was “clearly and fully” under control by correction officials.

The review also found that staff failed to properly respond to the ensuing medical emergency.

Ross and Bourgoin are scheduled to appear in Moncton Provincial Court on Feb. 26.