Home | WebMail | Register or Login

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Front Burner

Dozens die in custody after public intoxication arrests

A CBC investigation has found that 61 people have died in police custody after being arrested for public intoxication or a related offence since 2010.
A woman holds a photo.
Jeannette Rogers holds a book with photos of her son, Corey Rogers, who died in a Halifax jail cell in 2016 after being detained for public intoxication. After more than five years, she says she's still waiting for justice for her son's death. (Josh Hoffman/CBC)

"Alcoholism is an illness, it's not a crime, and it certainly shouldn't be punishable by death." That's a message from Jeannette Rogers, whose son, Corey, died in police custody in Halifax in 2016.

He is one of 61 peoplethat aCBC investigation foundhad died after being detained for public intoxication or a related offence since 2010.

In many cases, the investigation found that those arrestedweren't properly monitored, or their deteriorating health conditions were not addressed.

Today, CBC investigative reporter Kristin Annable shares some of the stories of those who died, and talks about how deaths like these might be prevented.