Nicous Spring: 21-year-old man was due to be released the day before he was fatally injured in prison

The 21-year-old Montrealer who died following an intervention by a correctional officer last Saturday should have been released from Bordeaux prison the day before his fatal injury.

Quebec’s Ministry of Public Security, which is responsible for provincial detention centers, confirmed on Thursday that Nicous D’André Spring was being illegally detained at the Montreal prison as he was due to be released on December 23 following a bail hearing via video link from the facility.

“It should be noted that two other incarcerated persons who appeared on December 23, 2022 were in illegal detention since they should have been released the same day. They were released the next day, December 24, 2022,” said Marie-Josée Montminy, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security.

For reasons still unknown, D’Andre Spring was still being held on December 24. During that afternoon, a correctional officer put a « spit mask » on Spring during an intervention to prevent him from biting other guards, according to the head of the union representing correctional officers.

A supervisor then ordered officers to spray Spring with pepper spray, while he was still wearing the mask.

The ministry said he lost consciousness following the procedure and was sent to hospital in an ambulance. He succumbed to his injuries the following day.

The corrections officer involved in the response has been temporarily relieved of his duties following the incident, the ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

This is a developing story. More soon.