We don't normally report suicides but it is news tonight that last night an inmate at the Hattieville Prison is believed to have killed himself. Police and prison officials say 27 year old Cayo resident Javier Teck did it inside his cell in the special section of the prison for inmates with mental problems. 7News went to the Hattieville Prison today for answers.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Javier Teck was found inside his cell at the Hattieville Prison sometime after 7 last night.
Taheera Ahmad, Deputy CEO - Kolbe Foundation
"On Monday June 15th which is last night around seven o'clock, the officers from the max-medium section discovered that the body of inmate Javier Teck, 27 years old, was hanging from a window bar at cell 26 in the medium flight."
Sgt. Peter Serano, Hattieville Police
"Hattieville Police visited the prison where a male person was seen
in a cell in Charlie Tango Special Care Section. The person was seen motionless with a piece of sheet tied around his neck. When we got there he was still hanging. The piece of sheet was tied to a bar that supported a window."
Javier Teck was serving a five year sentence for aggravated assault, harm, and damage to property. But more than that, he was a mental patient known outbursts which is why Javier spent most of his days in seclusion from other prisoners.
Taheera Ahmad,
"There were apparently no signs of visible strangulation or any harm to the body."
Keith Swift,
Why was he in the special section?
Taheera Ahmad,
"This is the area that we use to house the psychiatric inmates that are treated by the psychiatric team. Currently we have about 50 inmates at that location and he was in the cell by himself not only his psychiatric condition but because he had violent tendencies as well."
Keith Swift,
Were you aware that he posed a risk to himself?
Taheera Ahmad,
"All the psychiatric cases to a certain extent do pose a risk not only to themselves but to other inmates as well and actually he was last evaluated by Dr. Molina, this was June 5th, it was Friday, not last week Friday but the Friday. He was treated with modicum injection on a daily basis as well as the RTM pill."
Keith Swift,
Was there any evidence to suggest that this wasn't a suicide?
Sgt. Peter Serano,
"There is nothing at this point but like I mentioned before, the matter is presently under investigation."
Taheera Ahmad the Deputy CEO of the Prison who spoke to off camera says there are 50 mentally ill inmates at the prison and they can't all be monitored 24/7.
Taheera Ahmad,
"We have about 50 cases in that area. Majority of the inmates, even though they are just regular inmates, they are many that do come in with psychiatric illness and we are responsible, we are tasked to look after these inmates medical wise and mental wise."
But it is not clear if the prison could have done anything to stop a man determined to end his own life.
It is notable that going by the timeline – Teck killed himself less than an hour after receiving his medication.
One theory is that some event yesterday caused Javier Teck to despair and that likely was the news that an inmate he was close with had been released from the prison. The inmate was released yesterday and reports are that Teck wasn't informed. Authorities theorize, that the unexpected news of his friend's departure may have sent Teck into a depressive spiral. But it's just a theory and a post mortem to determine if it was indeed suicide will be conducted tomorrow. A family member told us by phone from Cayo that they were quote "bewildered" but reserved comment. Javier Teck was scheduled to be released in July of next year.
