Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jul 2006 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Darrell Bellaart 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek