Kendal Lee Campeau, 31, died of a methadone overdose in November 2021, just months before his scheduled release from prison. Campeau was serving a seven-year sentence for assault, escaping lawful custody, and drug possession. He passed away at the Pacific Institution's Regional Treatment Centre in British Columbia, a facility designed for inmates with mental health issues. Prior to his death, he had been transferred from Saskatchewan Penitentiary's treatment center to Kent Institution in Agassiz, B.C.

Campeau's sister, Ashley Fontaine, described him as a troubled individual who often found himself in legal trouble. "All he ever said about his experience in jail is that you never want to go there," she said. With only a year and a half left on his sentence, Campeau's death is part of a troubling trend of inmates dying shortly before their release dates.

Data from the Correctional Service of Canada indicates that suicide is the leading cause of death among inmates serving determinate sentences, followed closely by overdoses. Between January 2019 and February 2025, 45% of inmates who died by suicide had served more than three-quarters of their sentence, while 39% had served over half.

In total, 72% of non-natural deaths, which include suicides, overdoses, homicides, and accidents, involved inmates serving determinate sentences. In contrast, 47% of non-natural deaths among those with indeterminate sentences were due to suicide. This suggests that inmates with fixed release dates are at a higher risk of dying close to their release.

Alison Craig, a defense lawyer in Toronto, noted that the pressure of an impending release can exacerbate existing issues. "Your release date comes, the door opens, they say, 'Goodbye, good luck,' and you're out there to fend for yourself with no help, no support, no nothing," she said. The data also revealed that 60% of inmates who committed suicide during their timed sentences had been released and re-incarcerated within three months.

Richard Miller, a former inmate, shared his perspective on the mental toll of incarceration. "Emotionally, it's very disturbing. Your rights and your dignity are kind of stripped from you," he said. Miller, who was incarcerated multiple times between 2012 and 2017, emphasized the psychological struggles many inmates face, especially those who lack family support or stable housing.

Campeau's sister recalled her brother's struggles with mental health, which worsened during his time in prison. She described a harrowing phone call in which he revealed he was being abused by correctional officers. "I just curled up into the fetal position. Those kinds of things that you just don't hear. I knew his mental health was deteriorating," Fontaine said.

Documents obtained indicate that Campeau had filed grievances about his treatment, expressing fear for his safety. He died from an overdose on November 14, 2021, after experiencing two overdoses that day. Following his death, an investigation revealed 25 compliance issues, including a failure to conduct a proper suicide risk assessment upon his arrival at Kent Institution.

The investigation also noted that evidence in his cell was not preserved, and a burned piece of tinfoil, which may have contained illicit substances, was disposed of before testing. Fontaine remains uncertain about the circumstances surrounding her brother's death, stating, "I believe something happened to him, but I don't know if it happened at the hands of the guards or inmates or both."

Correctional Service Canada stated that it manages a complex inmate population and that staff are trained to handle difficult situations. After a death in custody, an investigation is mandatory, and the agency emphasized its commitment to inmate safety.