CORRECTIONS SUED OVER INMATE'S DRUG DEATH

The father of an inmate who died of a drug overdose at Stony Mountain
prison in 2006 is suing the Correctional Service of Canada and others
at the prison, claiming that their negligence and lack of supervision
led to his son's death. Raynold Gerling, 28, died Dec. 11, 2006 in his
cell. There was no evidence of foul play and an autopsy confirmed that
the cause of death was a methadone overdose.

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic taken orally and often used to treat
people addicted to heroin or codeine. It has been used since the 1960s
to subdue an addict's compulsion to "use."

In court documents filed Dec. 8, Rudy Gerling is claiming aggravated
damages and costs from the CSC, staff at the prison including its
warden, along with the minister of public safety, Stockwell Day, for
the death of his son. No dollar amount is stated in the suit.

Gerling claims that the CSC failed to provide adequate training to
employees, failed to provide a drug-free environment and that there
was no procedure in place for assessing the risk in administering the
methadone treatment to his son.

Gerling also claims in court documents that in allowing his son access
to the methadone treatment, the prison's warden intentionally misused
his power as a public officer. All parties named in the suit are
accused of depriving the family of Raynold's "guidance, care and
companionship."

No statement of defence has been filed, and Gerling's allegations have
not been proved in court. The CSC could not be reached for comment
Monday.

Rudy Gerling said in a brief interview that the effect his son's death
has had on his family has been "devastating," especially for Raynold's
widow, Lindsay.

The couple had only been married about a year before he
died.

"It's that way whenever a young person dies in those circumstances,"
Gerling said. He declined to speak at length and referred further
comment to Winnipeg lawyer John Sinclair.

In July, 2007, the medical examiner's office called an inquest into
Raynold's death.

A spokesperson for Manitoba Justice said that no date had been
scheduled for the probe into Raynold's death.

Rudy Gerling said that Manitoba Justice has set dates in the past for
the inquest, but it keeps getting postponed.