GNWT: King acted alone in jail escape
Department of Justice withholds full report; deputy minister says proper procedures followed
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Denecho King acted alone when he climbed onto the roof of the North Slave Correctional Centre in August, a review of his escape from the facility has found.
People stand outside the entrance to the North Slave Correctional Centre several hours after an inmate escaped Aug. 10. A review has found the inmate acted alone and proper procedures were followed. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
It's one of several conclusions of an internal Department of Justice review of the Aug. 10 escape that prompted a manhunt for the man RCMP called dangerous and who has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Martin Goldney, the deputy minister of justice, in an e-mailed statement to Yellowknifer outlined the findings of the review that included viewing videos, checking reports and logs leading up to and during the escape that morning and interviews.
Goldney states the review found there was an appropriate number of correctional officers in the area with King and proper procedures were followed. That contradicts what a source had told Yellowknifer. The newspaper had been told there was only one correctional officer in the area King used to escape when there were supposed to be two officers. Goldney's statement didn't state how many officers were in the area, a fenced outdoor area along the side of the jail with picnic tables and a barbecue.
The review also concluded proper emergency management measures were put in place when the escape began and no changes to those procedures are needed.
The review recommended changes to the building as well to prevent inmates from being able to climb onto the roof of the building as King did that day. He was the first person since the jail opened 12 years ago to escape.
The department has withheld the report itself and only released portions of the conclusions and recommendations.
"While we want to be as open as possible, we will not be releasing information on the specific changes to be made so as not to compromise inmate or public safety," Goldney stated. The deputy minister stated the department is implementing recommendations, though a full cost has yet to be determined.
Yellowknifer has requested the full report via access to information legislation.
The department did not respond by press time to a list of questions including whether it would provide a full list of the review findings; whether the report will be provided to MLAs; whether any policies or procedures have changed because of the escape; whether the escape was caught on video; whether any additional cameras will be installed at the jail; and whether anyone working at the jail has faced reprimand because of the escape.
Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart will ask Justice Minister Louis Sebert for more details about what happened when the legislative assembly resumes this week. He's hoping for the department to come to an assembly committee to answer questions publicly from MLAs about what occurred.
"There's still questions and that information isn't widely available," Testart said Monday after being told of the review's findings.
Testart had sought for the full review to be provided to MLAs and said some information provided in the statement to Yellowknife had yet to be given to regular MLAs.
RCMP still say the investigation into King's escape is ongoing. So far he's the only one who has been charged despite police making a point to warn anyone aiding King during his time on the lam that they would also face charges.
Police still won't say whose residence he was inside three days after his escape when he was caught.
