Burnside jail inmate who was found unresponsive in his cell dies

An inmate who was hospitalized after being found unresponsive in his cell at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth, N.S., has died.

The Justice Department said the 29-year-old was discovered around 9:30 p.m. on Monday. Staff immediately began CPR and called paramedics, and the man was taken to the Dartmouth General Hospital, where he died Tuesday afternoon.

The man's family members were at the hospital with him, the department said in a news release.

"This man's family and loved ones have been in my thoughts since I received word of the incident," said provincial Justice Minister Mark Furey in the statement. "I was saddened to hear of the tragic outcome and can assure you that the department will work with police and others as the investigation continues."

Halifax Regional Police and the Justice Department are investigating, and the medical examiner's office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.