Ministry confirms inmate death at Quinte Detention Centre

An inmate at the Quinte Detention Centre has died, according to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Global Kingston received an anonymous tip about the death on Monday and the ministry confirmed that a male inmate died Monday morning at the provincial jail in Napanee.

Andrew Morrison, media relations officer for the ministry, says the inmate was found in his cell “in medical distress” on Monday morning. The inmate was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead.

According to OPP, the man who died was 31-year-old.

Neither Morrison or the OPP would give any more information about the identity of the deceased or the cause of death, due to ongoing investigations.

Morrison explained that several investigations are launched after the death of an inmate. First, a coroner investigates the cause and manner of death. If the cause is determined not to be natural, this sparks a mandatory inquest into the death.

The ministry also conducts an internal investigation to evaluate whether procedures were followed to ensure proper care of the inmate.

Finally, police are contacted and investigate any possibility of criminal involvement in the death.

OPP said they are investigating the death, but could not comment further.