The province has called a coroner's inquest  in the death of an inmate serving time at a northern New Brunswick jail two years ago.

Jason Barnaby-Gloade was found unresponsive in a cell at the Dalhousie Regional Correctional Centre and was pronounced dead at the hospital on May 28, 2022, a release from the province said.

Back in 2022, RCMP said they were investigating the death of the 39-year-old. 

CBC News reached out to RCMP to ask for an update on the investigation but a spokesperson did not immediately respond Tuesday afternoon.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety was also asked why it has taken two years for an inquest to be called. A spokesperson responded to the request but did not immediately provide an answer.

The release said the inquest will be held from May 27 to 31, at the Campbellton courthouse, under deputy chief coroner Emily Caissy.

A jury will hear evidence from witnesses to determine what happened and provide recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future, the release said.

The inquest cannot make any findings of legal responsibility in the death.

RCMP are investigating the death of Jason Barnaby-Gloade, who was in custody at the Dalhousie Regional Correctional Centre.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety made the announcement Sunday.  

The 39-year-old was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday afternoon. 

Correctional staff administered first aid and Barnaby-Gloade was taken to Campbellton Regional Hospital, where he was admitted. He was pronounced dead Saturday evening. 

Barnaby-Gloade was being held on remand awaiting a June 6 court appearance. 

A coroner's inquest will be held. 

Five inmate deaths 

This is the fifth inmate to have died in a New Brunswick correctional facility this year. 

Three deaths were announced in April — Dany Bernatchez from the Atlantic Institution, and 24-year-old Jarrett Lorne Lunn and 40-year-old Wesley Robert Geneau from Madawaska Regional Correctional Centre.

Each was found unresponsive in his cell.

Skyler Sappier, 28, a member of the Neqotkuk First Nation, formerly known as Tobique First Nation, was serving a sentence at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre when he died in hospital on Jan. 31.

Dany Bernatchez has died in custody at the Atlantic Institution, Corrections Canada announced Saturday.

Bernatchez had been serving a sentence of 13 years and one month since January 2017.

The correctional facility did not immediately respond to requests for comment. No cause of death was provided in a media release.

Bernatchez was 22 when sentenced more than five years ago. 

He held a correctional officer hostage for three hours at the Sept-Îles, Que., prison, threatening her with a homemade ice pick.

The officer was not physically harmed. 

Dany Bernatchez died in custody at the Atlantic Institution Friday. (BENOIT JOBIN/RADIO-CANADA)

Bernatchez pleaded guilty to the 14 counts related to the incident. 

He was charged with pointing a firearm, disguise with intent, robbery, uttering threats to cause death, riot, hostage taking, assault causing bodily harm and prison breach with violence. 

Other charges were possession of a Schedule II substance, breaking and entering, having a prohibited weapon in vehicle, the discharge of restricted and prohibited weapon with intent, intimidation of a justice system participant, failure to comply with probation rules, mischief in relation to other property and conspire to commit indictable offence.

Fourth death of inmate in province

This is the fourth death of an inmate in New Brunswick in the last few months. 

Two recent deaths were from the Madawaska Regional Correctional Centre, including 24-year-old Jarrett Lorne Lunn and 40-year-old Wesley Robert Geneau. 

Each was found unresponsive in his cell.

Skyler Sappier, 28, a member of the Neqotkuk First Nation, formerly known as Tobique First Nation, was serving a sentence at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre when he died in hospital on Jan. 31. 

Coroner inquests have been ordered for all three deaths.