The nine correctional officers charged in the death of an inmate at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary are free to go.

In a statement issued this morning, Director of Public Prosecutions Lloyd Strickland says there will be no further criminal proceedings against the guards in connection with the death of 33-year-old Jonathan Henoche.

He stated the decision was made after a review of Chief Provincial Court Judge Pamela Goulding’s decision to dismiss all charges, as well as an assessment of a second medical opinion that showed Henoche may have died from a pre-existing heart condition during an altercation with the guards in November 2019.

The Crown still had the option of proceeding by direct indictment, but says with differing opinions on the key medical evidence they had no choice but to conclude there’s no likelihood of conviction.

Henoche’s family is still pursuing a civil lawsuit against the province in the death.