News Releases

Ontario Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INMATE DEATH, KINGSTON PENITENTIARY

Kingston, Ontario, February 16, 2011 – At approximately 4:10 pm on February 15, 2011, while performing a routine patrol, correctional officers at Kingston Penitentiary responded to an inmate suffering from chest pains.

The officers immediately moved the inmate to the Institutional Health Care Centre where he was assessed. Health Care professionals at the Institution called for an ambulance to transport the offender to Kingston General Hospital. While awaiting the arrival of the ambulance, the inmate’s condition deteriorated rapidly and CPR was initiated by staff at the Institutional Health Care Centre.

Upon arrival, the ambulance took over treatment of the inmate.

In spite of these efforts, he was pronounced dead in the Institutional Health Care Centre by an attending physician.

John Lee Stevenson was a fifty-one year old inmate serving a life sentence for second degree murder commencing Jan. 23, 1997. Next of kin have been notified.

As in all cases where an inmate dies in custody, the police and coroner have been notified and are currently investigating. Correctional Service of Canada will also review the circumstances surrounding this incident.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Brian Joyce,
Assistant Warden Management Services, Kingston Penitentiary
613 536 6880