Family of inmate who died in Nova Scotia jail starts legal action against province
Relatives of a 60-year-old man who took his own life in a Nova Scotia jail after long periods of confinement in his cell have launched a lawsuit against the province.
The wife and sons of Richard Douglas Murray are alleging in Nova Scotia Supreme Court that staff at the jail failed to monitor him properly and ensure he was spending a reasonable amount of time outside his cell.
The allegations, described in a Sept. 12 notice of action written by lawyer Devin Maxwell, have yet to be tested in court.
According to letters Murray sent from the jail to his wife, Mary Hendsbee, he seldom was able to leave his cell at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility due to staff shortages.
Murray's letters describe conditions in the jail as "total cruelty."
According to an autopsy report, Murray was found by other inmates hanging in his cell on Jan. 15, a bedsheet tied around his neck.
The report said that the day before, Murray had been assessed for suicidal thoughts and was returned to his cell.
At the time, Murray had been awaiting trial for nine months after his arrest on charges of pointing a firearm and uttering threats at his home near Antigonish, N.S. -- charges he intended to vigorously contest in court.
The notice says the family has suffered from Murray's death and is seeking compensation. The figure sought isn't specified in the legal document.
In an interview Friday, Hendsbee said the goal of the lawsuit is to "hold the prison accountable for what happened."
She also said the family is hoping to get answers about what happened to Murray.
"I've had the one call from them (prison officials) after he died. After that, there were no communications," Hendsbee said. "We've been left with many questions. It's hard to get any kind of closure."
Richard Murray's son, Dalton Murray, said in an interview he has been left to wonder whether half-hour checks were carried out by correctional officers and, if they were, why they didn't prevent his father's death.
In a report released Tuesday, the East Coast Prison Justice Society -- an advocate for inmates -- has called attention to the fact that six people have died while in provincial custody since January 2023.
The group has called for public reviews of prison deaths, saying the current approach of having the chief medical examiner hold inquiries behind closed doors lacks transparency.
Dalton Murray said: "Since my father took his life in January, there have been two more deaths. It doesn't seem to be getting better. We would like to spread awareness and attention about what is going on in the facility."
A spokeswoman for the provincial Justice Department said it couldn't comment on Murray's case.
Lynette MacLeod said in an email that "over the past five years, we have made changes to better support people and the complex challenges they are facing, including on-site registered social workers, who not only meet with people who request support, but also play an outreach role."
She said the Justice Department also ensures that people admitted to correctional facilities are assessed by the professionals at Nova Scotia Health.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, Canada's national suicide prevention helpline.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
The airlines have failed in their challenge of federal passenger protection rules.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
WestJet ordered to reimburse B.C. passenger for hotel, despite claim bill was 'excessive'
WestJet failed to convince a B.C. tribunal that a woman whose flight was delayed for three days spent an "excessive" amount on a hotel room, and the airline has been ordered to pay her full bill.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
RCMP recovered 115 out of 205 lost firearms, 2 machine guns still missing
More than half of the 205 firearms lost by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 2020 have been recovered, but two machine guns remain missing.
Economic experts call it 'terrible policy,' but most Canadians support expansion of Old Age Security benefits: Nanos survey
Amid new polling indicating most Canadians support boosting Old Age Security benefits by 10 per cent for seniors aged 65 to 74, a former Liberal finance minister and former Bank of Canada governor are warning the government not to pursue the policy change.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Parliament 'ground to a halt' over Conservative allegations of Liberal corruption
Government business has been put on indefinite pause in the House of Commons and the Conservatives say it will stay that way until the Liberals hand over documents related to misspent government dollars.
DoorDash driver who appeared to spit in Ontario man's drink removed from platform
A DoorDash driver who was caught on camera appearing to spit into an Ontario man’s drink has been removed from the platform, the food delivery company has confirmed.