LA RONGE, Sask. - A public inquest has been called into the death of a man in RCMP custody.

The Saskatchewan government says a week-long inquest into the death of Walter Clinton McKenzie is to start Monday at the La Ronge courthouse.

McKenzie was found unresponsive in his cell at the La Ronge RCMP detachment on Sept. 7, 2010.

The 32-year-old was taken to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where he died the following day.

An inquest is required by law when someone dies while in custody, unless the coroner is satisfied that the death was due to natural causes and was not preventable.

The coroner's jury at the inquest may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.