The chief coroner of Quebec has just launched a public inquiry into the death of inmate Nicous D’Andre Spring, which occurred on Christmas Eve at the Bordeaux prison.
The 21-year-old died after physical intervention by correctional officers, including the use of pepper spray. Subsequent searches indicated that Mr. Spring was in unlawful detention, as he should have been released the day before his death.
“It’s the coroner Me Julie-Kim Godin who was designated by [la coroner en chef] Me Descary to preside over this inquest,” the coroner’s office statement read. “The public inquiry aims to shed light on the cause and circumstances of Mr. Spring’s death. More specifically, the inquest is a process by which the facts and information relevant to the circumstances of the death are presented to the coroner during public hearings. »
In the wake of the death, a correctional officer and the head of the unit in question were suspended, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) opened a criminal investigation and the Ministry of Public Security launched an administrative investigation into the events.