Québec jail suicide haunts Ontario family

A distraught Ontario family is left wondering why their loved one was left incarcerated instead of given help for his suicidal behaviour.

CBC News reports that twenty-six-year-old Christopher Clarke was imprisoned in Montréal's Bordeaux jail after being picked up by police for an unpaid fine.

Clarke's fiancée, Janick Ménard, brought him to Cornwall hospital on April 14 after he displayed frantic and suicidal behaviour. After being assessed by a doctor, Clarke returned home.

Ménard then called the police out of concern for Clarke's safety. The police subsequently brought Clarke to Bordeaux prison, despite assurances that he was to be taken to the hospital.

Clarke's sister, Melissa Harrison, and Ménard both left several messages for prison management expressing concern for Clarke's well-being of which were never returned.

Clarke jumped over a third-floor railing on April 27 without having received a reply after applying for professional help and counselling.

An official at Bordeaux jail says that the prison's customary screening for suicidal behaviour did not deem Clarke to be at risk of suicide.

STORY WRITTEN BY: KRISTOBAL M. EUGENIO