PRISONER OD'D ON DRUGS - CORONER

An inquest is expected following the May 19 death by overdose of a
prisoner while in custody at Nanaimo Correctional Centre.

A toxicological report confirmed Thursday that drugs were responsible
for the death.

"Mixed drug toxicity" is the official finding, although the Coroners
Office won't say what drugs were involved.

"Because it's an in-custody death, we're pretty much mandated to go to
inquest," said coroner Dave Sherstone.

"If that's the case then it will have to go before a jury, and they
will have to decide the cause of death and they have to decide the
circumstances and make recommendations, if there are any."

He said for this reason, the Coroners Office is limited in what
information it can release. A decision on an inquest is expected soon.

It is the first in-custody death in the 20 years since Nanaimo
Correctional Centre opened as a minimum-security facility. It has been
a medium-security prison for seven years.