PC Leader Ches Crosbie believes a decision on an inquiry into the most recent death of a 33-year-old man at HMP is premature at this time.

There have been calls from lawyer Bob Buckingham for an inquiry to be held by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office into the death of his client, 33-year-old Jonathan Henoche.

Henoche was facing a charge of first-degree murder in the death of 88-year-old Regule Schule in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 2016.

Crosbie says he called for an inquiry before Marlene Jesso’s report on deaths in correctional facilities was complete. Where that has been out for some time now, Crosbie says he would hesitate before going through the process of an inquiry until we see more about what was involved in the death.

During Question Period, Crosbie called for Jesso to be brought back in to review the stage of implementation of her various recommendations.

Crosbie says that would be useful. He says it’s not necessary perhaps that all recommendations be implemented already, but a check-up on how far down the road government is would be a useful exercise, without an extensive investigation.

Justice Minister Andrew Parsons also said it was still too early to call an inquiry.

Parsons says he wants to see the ongoing investigation into the death of an inmate at HMP play out before taking further possible action.

Henoche’s death is the third at HMP in the last two years, and the fifth in the province’s correctional system in the same amount of time.

Among the key recommendations from former RNC Superintendent Marlene Jesso was replacement of HMP. Minister Parsons says they’re working towards that end.