‘Absolutely Heartbreaking’: Vigil Organizer Says Deaths In Custody Preventable

Cecil James is helping to organize a vigil in Winnipeg three years after his sister, Kinew, died at the Regional Psychiatric Centre. (Cecil James/Submitted to CBC)

Cecil James’ sister, Kinew, died at a psychiatric centre in Saskatoon in 2013

CBC News Posted: May 20, 2016

Cecil James will never forget the phone call that changed his family’s life forever.

His sister Kinew James died at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon after a nurse took too long to call a Code Blue after finding her unresponsive late one January night in 2013.

“That call was absolutely heartbreaking because we had conversation of what plans, of what she would do once she got out,” he said, adding his sister was expected to be released in August 2013.

James said that’s why he’s so eager to help throw a vigil and rally for Bradley Errol Green and Hollie Hall who died at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

(Left) Bradley Errol Green died at the Winnipeg Remand Centre on May 1 and Hollie Hall died there in March. (Courtesy of Rochelle Pranteau/Gerri Hall)

Green, 26, experienced two epileptic seizures while in custody at the centre on May 1. He later died.

Hall died after contracting influenza or a flu-like illness while in custody in March.

“I’m there for the families, I can relate to what these people have gone through,” said James.

“Nobody expects a call in general from people saying your loved one’s passed away, but it’s definitely shocking when they’re supposed to be in a safe environment.”

He added, “These are preventable deaths. People go in with pre-existing medical conditions and just because they’re incarcerated, they shouldn’t be denied proper medical care.”

James said prominent Indigenous leaders in Manitoba will be at Saturday’s vigil, and all members of the public are encouraged to come.

He said many at the rally will be there to demand an inquest into the deaths of both Green and Hall. An inquest is continuing into his own sister’s death, he said.

“We’re still waiting for answers three years later, so this family will need the support. I’m glad the leadership has stepped up to support this family,” he said.

At a past vigil for Green, James met his younger brother Braydon.

“He’s a very strong young man. I wish I could’ve met him outside of this situation,” he said, adding Braydon volunteers with Bear Clan and Drag the Red.

“To be still out in the community doing what he can for the community and going through what he’s going through, he’s a strong young man and I’m just very impressed by him and I’m glad to have met him,” he said.

James said he plans to continue to support Green and Hall’s family in the years to come, and hopes others in Manitoba join him.

The event will take place at 5 p.m. CT on Saturday in front of the Remand Centre.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/vigil-organizer-says-deaths-in-custody-preventable-1.3592659

Activists Call For Inquest Into Death Of Winnipeg Remand Centre Inmate

Errol Green with his son Darien. Green was the father of three and his wife, Rochelle Pranteau, is expecting their fourth in the fall. (Courtesy of Rochelle Pranteau)

Urban Warrior Alliance wants WRC to review protocols around access to medication for people in custody

May 12, 2016

Community activists in Winnipeg are calling for an inquest into the death of Errol Green, a 26-year-old father of three, after he was detained in the Winnipeg Remand Centre (WRC) for three days without his epilepsy medication.

• Death investigated after Winnipeg Remand Centre denies epilepsy drugs to inmate

“I can just envision what he was going through. I was sick in jail myself, years ago, and it was the same. Neglect in jail,” said Harrison Friesen-Powder, a member of Urban Warrior Alliance, a grassroots activist group in Winnipeg.

Friesen-Powder said he saw first hand the difficulty in accessing medical help while in custody at the WRC. A family member who is currently incarcerated was also denied prescription medicine for a diagnosed mental illness, he said.

Guys will wait for days to see a doctor– Harrison Friesen-Powder

“Normally you go into the jail, you go to intake, they ask you medical questions. Then you have to request forms to ask to see a doctor, to get your medication and then that takes time whether it’s 24, 48, 72 hours longer. Guys will wait for days to see a doctor,” said Friesen-Powder.

Stories of mistreatment and neglect are common within correctional systems, according to Friesen-Powder, who said he hears those types of stories all the time. While some of the mistreatment is related to race, the denial of medication is a systemic problem, he said.

“The issue is there’s a gap or something not working in their system as far as how they’re handling inmates. Whether it’s physical illness or mental illness, it all goes back down to the medication and the treatment of inmates in general,” said Friesen-Powder.

The Winnipeg Remand Centre has not provided a spokesperson on its protocols surrounding inmate access to medication despite requests from CBC.

Errol Green with his daughters, Precious (5) and Saige (7). (Courtesy of Rochelle Pranteau)

A rally for Errol Green in front of the Winnipeg Remand Centre is planned for Friday at 1 p.m. Through the rally, Urban Warrior Alliance wants to bring awareness to the mistreatment of inmates and show support for Green’s family, said Friesen-Powder.

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