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RNC probing inmate's sudden death at Her Majesty's Penitentiary

The death occurred Saturday afternoon and is the third death in a Newfoundland and Labrador prison in three months.

Inmate's death is the 3rd in a Newfoundland and Labrador prison in 3 months

The RNC is investigating a sudden death at the HMP on Saturday. (CBC)

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is investigating an inmate's sudden death at Her Majesty's Penitentiary on Saturday afternoon, the third inmate death in a Newfoundland and Labrador prison in three months. 

The man was alone in his cell when he died, according to a release sent by the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

The death comes after an independent investigation was launched in late May following the deaths of two women at the Clarenville Correctional Centre for Women this spring.

Samantha Piercey, 28, died at the facility on May 26 and Skye Martin, 27, died on April 21.

Friends and family of both women say questions remain about how and why they died. 

The investigation will also examine the death of a male inmate, Doug Neary, at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's last August.

Marlene Jesso, a recently retired 34-year veteran of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary who once ran the combined forces special enforcement unit, is leading the investigation.

According to the Department of Justice and Public Safety, Saturday's inmate death will be investigated independently once the RNC completes its review.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador