An inmate’s ‘chilling’ memory of a Halifax jail death raises questions on cell checks

Richard MacInnis, a former inmate, continues to live with the haunting memory of finding his friend Richard Murray’s body in a Halifax jail cell on Jan. 15, 2024. The experience has left him deeply troubled and convinced that more could have been done to save Murray, a man he had looked out for and helped save from a prior suicide attempt.

In a recent interview, MacInnis recounted the chilling scene he encountered that day. He noticed that Murray had tied a bedsheet across the room, partially obscuring the view through the cell window where he had hanged himself with a strip of cloth. MacInnis questioned why a correctional officer hadn’t spotted the sheet, as guards are supposed to check on inmates every 30 minutes.

He stated, “Their protocol is to see a live, breathing body. That’s why they check on us. He (Murray) wasn’t even in the bed… He was at the front of the bed with the bedsheet in front of him.” MacInnis’s observation raises concerns about the adequacy of monitoring procedures in correctional facilities.

The condition of Murray’s body further raised questions for MacInnis. He noted that Murray’s body was in rigor mortis, indicating that his friend had died several hours before being discovered. The lack of timely intervention is troubling, considering the standard protocol for checking on inmates every half hour.

Murray’s family members expressed gratitude for a letter they received from MacInnis last summer, providing details of the death that they had not been informed of by jail officials. The letter revealed clear warning signs of Murray’s deteriorating condition and the risks of suicide, including a conversation with a correctional officer about feeling suicidal the night before his death.

Murray’s death is particularly tragic as many believe he should never have been incarcerated in the first place. He had been awaiting trial for nine months after being arrested on charges related to an incident at his home, where he had displayed a shotgun out of fear during a wellness check. MacInnis noted that Murray’s mental health had deteriorated during his time in custody, exacerbated by long periods spent in his cell due to staffing shortages.

The province’s response to the family’s lawsuit denied most allegations of neglecting their duty of care, citing patient confidentiality as a reason for corrections staff not being informed of the reasons Murray was sent back to his cell. MacInnis emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in such cases to prevent future instances of neglect.

Reflecting on the tragic loss of his friend, MacInnis stated, “Richard Murray was a nice guy. I looked out for him. It was heartbreaking. It was the first body I ever found. It was pretty chilling.” The need for improved monitoring and mental health support in correctional facilities is evident, as tragedies like Murray’s death should not be repeated.

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