Correctional officer arrested in connection with Nicous D’André Spring’s death, killed in Montreal jail amid illegal detention

Quebec provincial police (SQ) arrested a correctional officer Thursday in connection with the death of Nicous D’André Spring – illegally detained in Bordeaux jail in 2022.

On Dec. 24, 2022, guards put a spit hood on the 21-year-old and pepper-sprayed him twice. Spring later died in hospital of his injuries.

A judge had ordered that the young man be released from the jail Dec. 23, but he and two other inmates were still in custody a day later.

Sébastien Bossé, 54, was charged with manslaughter at the Montreal courthouse on Thursday. He was released after posting bail and is expected back in court Aug. 25.

Bossé was a unit manager at Bordeaux jail on the night in question.

Spring’s family, the Red Coalition and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association had demanded an inquiry into systemic racism in the provincial detention system after his death.

“After years of silence, this arrest is a step toward justice, but the journey is far from over. We believe real accountability takes time, persistence, and unwavering pressure for change,” Joel DeBellefeuille, founder and Executive Director of the Red Coalition.

“The arc of the moral universe is extremely long but I still believe it bends towards justice,” added Alain Babineau, Director of the Red Coalition.

“Since 2022, we have called for justice, transparency, and institutional accountability not just for Nicous, but for all Black and racialized individuals failed by Quebec’s justice and correctional systems. The fact that Nicous died while being illegally detained is not only unacceptable it is a stain on the province’s institutions. No family should have to endure the grief of losing a loved one in custody, much less fight this hard to have their loss recognized and investigated,” wrote the Coalition in a press release Friday morning.

“What happened to Nicous was not an isolated incident. It was the result of systemic negligence, poor oversight, and a lack of humanity within a system that too often views Black lives as disposable. An arrest alone does not fix that.”

A public inquiry was also ordered by Quebec’s chief coroner to shed light on what exactly happened the night Spring died.

“What they did to him was very cruel. They didn’t have to go so far. I mean, he was just 21 years old, just starting his life,” had said Sarafina Dennie, Spring’s sister, in an interview with CityNews after his death.

She called for relevant video footage of the incident to be released by authorities, and said she wanted the public to see it as well.

“My family is demanding the video to be released to us and also to the public, because it’s been over a month now that we’ve been waiting for answers and we’re not getting anything,” said Dennie. “And I think it will be quite fair for us to have those information as to what happened to my brother.”

“Getting answers will really help us to understand what happened to him, how it happened and why it happened.”

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association had said the video footage exists, and that it should be released to the family.

The Red Coalition continues to call for: a cultural shift within the Ministère de la Sécurité publique; one that prioritizes dignity, accountability, and human rights; Independent civilian oversight of detention centres across Quebec; mandatory anti-racism and de-escalation training for all correctional staff; transparent public reporting on use-of-force incidents in custody.

Montreal police arrested Spring on Dec. 20, 2022, on charges of assaulting a peace officer, criminal harassment and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was also facing two counts of breach of a condition of release. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.