News Releases

Ontario Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINGSTON, ON, January 24, 2008 - At approximately 4:49 p.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2008, Joyceville Institution staff discovered that four inmates were in varying stages of medical distress. Three were immediately transferred to an outside hospital, where they currently remain, while the fourth, Christopher Morriseau, was pronounced dead at the Institution by paramedics. Christopher Morriseau was serving a two-year, nine-month sentence for aggravated assault.

Preliminary information indicates that the inmates involved in this incident had consumed homemade brew. The OPP Penitentiary Squad has been contacted and is investigating the cause of this medical emergency. As in all cases where an individual dies while in custody, the police and coroner are called in to investigate.

Joyceville institution remains locked down pending a review of the incident.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Janine Chown
A/Regional Communications Manager
Ontario Region
613 545-8210