New Brunswick government says it was late to report inmate death

The New Brunswick government has acknowledged it should have informed the public earlier about the death of a provincial jail inmate on October 10. The Department of Justice and Public Safety only released details about the incident four days later, despite the department's policy to notify the public within 12 hours of such events.

Bruce Macfarlane, a spokesperson for the provincial government, stated that the department is currently investigating the matter and will implement measures to prevent future delays. Pierre Dartiguenave, who was 50 years old, was discovered unresponsive in his cell at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on October 7 and ultimately passed away in a hospital on October 10.

The department also mentioned in a news release that Dartiguenave's staff tried to resuscitate him and provide medical assistance, while emergency services were immediately called to the scene. Macfarlane confirmed that Dartiguenave was on life support for several days following his medical emergency. The family of Dartiguenave was informed of the tragedy, but Macfarlane did not disclose the reason behind the delay in reporting the incident.