An inquest jury is recommending that the Regina Correctional Centre provide continuing suicide-prevention training for all staff and screen coming inmates for potential suicidal tendencies.
The recommendation is one of eight the six-member panel returned with following a hearing this week into the death of Waylon Starr.
The jury determined Mr. Starr, who was age 27, took his own life in his cell in August, 2017.
It says the correctional centre should provide inmates with better and timely access to elders or a chaplain.
As well, the panel is calling for a review of cultural training, improved communication among staff during shift changes and a standard for how inmates get privacy in their cells.
Coroner’s inquests are not intended to determine any criminal responsibility, although jurors can make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
“He [Waylon] told them when he first came in on July 5, he told them he tried suicide the day before,” said Verna Starr, Waylon’s mother.
“I think they should have taken more time to reconsider that and put him on suicide watch.”
Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.