Coroner’s inquest called for Abbotsford prison death as records allege violent assault of inmate prior to transfer

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“Although he came from a loving family and did not experience any abuse in his home, he was removed from his family and placed in foster care at the age of 10,” said PLS.

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“His mother unsuccessfully attempted to regain custody. He spent time in group homes, where he was abused, including by being forcibly held down in restraints. […] In adult custody, Mr. Campeau suffered extensive abuse by correctional officers.”

His sister, Ashley Fontaine, recounted stories allegedly involving his violent assault and sexual assault by guards.

History of violent abuse

Campeau was transferred from Saskatchewan to Kent Institution in December 2019, where he was violently assaulted again and placed in a structured intervention unit – a specialized living space that took over when Canada officially abolished solitary confinement – before being transferred to the Pacific Institution around May 2021.

Records obtained by PLS also showed that Campeau attempted suicide during segregation in 2019, with medical staff believing he had been sexually assaulted.

When Campeau tried to file grievances related to the attempt, he requested camera footage from the date and that the incident be reviewed, but the CSC responded both times that no camera footage existed for the dates referenced and that the “review” did not corroborate his accusations. It remains unclear what file information was reviewed.

“The psychological damage and physical abuse that Kendal suffered through, changed him. It had such detrimental impact on his mental well-being, it literally broke him,” wrote Fontaine in a letter.

PLS, along with the First Nations Justice Council, requested an inquest in February 2024.

A jury will join Presiding Coroner Kimberly Isbister to hear evidence from witnesses regarding his death starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2026, at the Burnaby Coroners’ Court. A livestream of that inquest is set to be available on the Coroners Service’s website the same day.