Inmate deaths trending upward, B.C. Coroners Service says

This story includes mentions of suicide.

Inmate deaths in the province have been increasing, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

The agency says the deaths of 188 people in provincial and federal correctional facilities were reported between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2023.

It says that while the annual average during that time period was 17 deaths, 25 inmates died in 2023. By comparison, 11 inmate deaths were reported in 2013.

The coronersservice says 60 per cent of deaths during the 10-year time frame were classified as natural, 18 per cent as accidental and 15 per cent as suicides.

The agency notes that its data is preliminary andexcludes deaths at halfway houses, in police custody and at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.

It says 60 per cent of the deaths occurred at federal facilities, with the Pacific Institution in Abbotsford, B.C.,recording the most by far, at 64 deaths, followed by the Mission Institution with 15.

Among provincial facilities, it says the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam saw the highest total with 23 deaths, while the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre had 20.

The coronersservice says about 72 per cent of the 188 people who died were aged 30-69, and all but three of them were male.

'Heartbreaking' suicide rate

Jennifer Metcalfe, the executive director of Prisoners' Legal Services, called these figures "alarming."

For her, they are an indication that inmates many of whomare already marginalized people with high physical and mental care needs are receiving inadequate healthcare.

Metcalfe also noted the general issue of suicide deaths in prisons as a big concern, because they happen at disproportionate rates comparedto the general population.

According to her, they reflect "a lack of movement" on the use of lockdowns similar to solitary confinement in prisons which couldamount to tortureunder the United Nations'definition, depending on the length of isolation and a lack of mental health care to support those who have gone through them.

"It's heartbreaking, but not surprising, that the rates of suicide are so high," she said.

To help prevent deaths, Metcalfe called for health-care services in prisons to be provided independently through health agencies.

And pointing to Canada's colonial history and its long-lasting damage, she also advocated for the collection of more race-based data and a redistribution of funds from correctional services toIndigenous communities.

Accredited health care in institutions

In a written statement to CBCNews, Correctional ServiceCanada (CSC) said it takes the issue of inmate deaths "very seriously."

CSCoutlined itscare capacity in the statement andnoted that its health services are assessed byAccreditation Canada, a national non-profit that accredits other health-care providers like the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).In B.C., PHSA assumed responsibility for health-care services inprovincial correctional centres in2017.

The CSC also said it's investing in and working with local organizations to support Indigenous people in prison and during their reintegration.

B.C. Public Safety MinisterMike Farnworthsaid in a statement that the health and safety of people in the custody ofB.C. Correctionsis his ministry's "top priority."

"We recognize the deep impacts each of these deaths have on their family, friends and the individuals who respond with life-saving efforts and every effort will continue to be made to learn from and help prevent these tragedies from occurring," hesaid.