Cambridge Bay (Feb 10/03) - Witnesses testifying about the death of a Cambridge Bay man, Colin Kaotalok, told a six-member jury that he showed no signs of depression before committing suicide.

In fact, two case workers from the Uttaqivik Halfway House where he was living, described Kaotalok as easygoing.

Recommendations made to the Department of Justice: Due to the poor layout of the halfway house, a closed circuit TV should be installed in the halfway house for surveillance in main areas such as recreation room, living room, laundry room Install safety glass windows on the kitchen and laundry room door for better visibility. Provide more intensive training for caseworkers especially in the areas of counselling, suicide prevention and substance abuse. Clearly identify who the case worker is for each inmate so that everyone knows their responsibilities. It is recommended that there be better communication between all parties.

Kaotalok, 18, took his life in the halfway house on Nov. 22, 2001. He was serving a 10-month sentence for three counts of breach of probation and one count of assault. Kaotalok was admitted to Baffin Correctional Centre in May 2001. His sentencing was in June and he received 10 months jail time. By October Kaotalok was placed in the halfway house. He was only there for one month when he committed suicide.

There are a variety of elements looked at before someone is transferred from BCC to the halfway house. The inmate's ability to get along with others is one of these factors.

"They've usually served some time in the facility and their behaviour was good," explained Ron McCormick, director of corrections for the justice department.

The six-member jury participating in the inquest received a tour of the halfway house to make sure they understood the accounts given by witnesses, all of which worked for the Department of Justice.

The house is kept clean and is set up like a home with a living area, a kitchen and several bedrooms.

There are 12 beds in the halfway house and usually about 10 occupants.

On the day of the suicide, Kaotalok found out his application for early release was denied. He had free time on a daily basis and could access passes to go out into the community. Caseworkers testified on the night of the suicide, Kaotalok has been out visiting his girlfriend.

A statement taken from the girlfriend by an Iqaluit RCMP officer explained that Kaotalok had anger management and jealousy problems. She told police she did not hear from him again after he left her home that evening. The girlfriend mentioned that Kaotalok was afraid of being tested for drugs.

The final check

One of the workers, Dion Fitzpatrick, told the jury how he came to find Kaotalok's body.

Fitzpatrick started his final check at about 11 p.m. that evening. At 11:07 he opened the door to the laundry room and found Kaotalok's hanging from a pipe with a belt tied around his neck. With the help of another case worker, he laid the body on the floor and began performing CPR. Kaotalok was pronounced dead at the Baffin Regional Hospital at 11:53 p.m.

"One of the inmates had seen him on the phone maybe five or 10 minutes beforehand. The building is usually checked anywhere from five to seven times a shift," explained Fitzpatrick.

Jurors questioned why the door to the laundry room was shut and they asked whether this was policy or not.

"The guys will close the door when they're doing laundry, just for the noise level," responded Fitzpatrick.

The laundry is adjacent to a room in which there is a communal phone and a pool table. A suicide note was found in the pocket of Kaotalok's pants. In it, he said he was afraid of hurting someone or of being hurt.

Also found on Kaotalok's body was a candy container filled with urine.

Toxicology tests showed no signs of alcohol or drugs in the urine in the candy container. When similar tests were performed during an autopsy, Kaotalok's urine tested positive for cannabis.

Jury's recommendations

McCormick said the recommendations made by the coroner's jury will be considered.

"We'll review them and see what we can implement as we do with everything.

"We'll also look at what we need to implement right away," he explained.

Chief Coroner Tim Neily, who presided over the inquest, said he will follow up with the Department of Justice in the next four to five months to see what was implemented and how.

"This is not a trial and no one stands accused of any crime. The recommendations are purely recommendations," said Neily.