Overview
On October 25, 2017, a large fire broke out at the Southeast Regional Correctional Centre in Shediac, New Brunswick. Staff of the jail instructed all inmates to remain in the yard (a small outdoor space enclosed by four walls of the jail). The inmates were forced to remain in the yard for hours while the walls burns around them. Many were subjected to burns from burning tar which fell on them from the roof. All suffered significant stress and anxiety. Some have been diagnosed with PTSD.
An investigation reveals that the fire was caused by the negligence of a guard, in smoking a cigarette in a prohibited area and failing to dispose of it safely.
Valent Legal represents a class of inmates at the Shediac jail over the harms they experienced as a result of the fire.
UPDATES:
On November 22, 2020, the Supreme Court of New Brunswick certified the class action against the Province of New Brunswick. The certification order can be found here:
The certification of a class action has the ability to affect the legal rights of class members. For details of the class action and class member rights, Notice of Certification can be accessed here:
Registration
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