Latest news with #Maplehurst
CBC
7 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Jury makes 23 recommendations after inquest into deaths of 7 Maplehurst inmates
Social Sharing The jury serving on the coroner's inquest into the deaths of seven men from drug overdoses while they were in custody at Maplehurst Correctional Complex has made 23 recommendations to prevent future inmate overdoses, including making naloxone kits available to inmates and providing more training for corrections staff. The men died from accidental drug overdoses either at Maplehurst in Milton, Ont. or after transfer to a local hospital between June 2017 and October 2019. The jury provided the verdict and recommendations on Friday after hearing from more than 25 witnesses, including correctional officers, jail medical staff, and managers, over a two-week period. The inquest also heard families' statements, including from the mother of one of the inmates, who said her son needed help for his addictions. The jury is proposing that the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General implement 23 recommendations. The recommendations include increasing access to primary care providers at Maplehurst, providing newly admitted inmates with information on addiction treatment and services at the jail, and equipping correctional officers with naloxone kits while they are on duty. The other recommendations include: Develop and implement an analysis to address correctional staffing shortages at Maplehurst. Make naloxone kits available to inmates and educate inmates on recognizing the signs and symptoms of overdose, safe administration of naloxone, and the importance of alerting staff to a potential overdose. Provide naloxone training videos on the televisions in the living units. Monitoring fire doors between the wings of the living units to prevent the passing of contraband between the units. Provide training to officers and health care staff on how to respond to a potential opioid overdose on an annual basis. Conduct random reviews on a quarterly basis of CCTV footage to audit the quality of correctional officers' security patrols. Assign additional officers to the module unit during daytime hours to assist in monitoring the screens. Develop a preliminary summary at the forefront of the electronic medical record for each patient. Explore the feasibility of conducting routine drug testing as part of the intake procedure for admission. In Ontario, inquests into deaths while in custody are mandatory under the Coroners Act. Maplehurst Correctional Complex holds about 1,500 inmates in medium and maximum security. On Wednesday, Ontario's ombudsman said he was alarmed by the "growing state of crisis" in provincial jails, saying that urgent reform is needed. He also said he has launched an investigation into the province's response to a two-day incident at Maplehurst in December 2023, in which "many inmates were so poorly treated that they have had the charges against them reduced or even dismissed by judges." In that incident, inmates were ordered to strip to their underwear and to sit facing a wall with their wrists zip-tied.
CBC
16-06-2025
- CBC
Moms' emotional statements open Ontario inquest for 7 Maplehurst inmates after overdose deaths
Social Sharing The coroner's inquest into the deaths of seven inmates from drug overdoses while they were incarcerated at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, Ont., began Monday morning with emotional statements from the men's families being read to the jury. The men died either at Maplehurst or after transfer to Halton Healthcare between June 2017 and October 2019. Their names and dates of death are: Wesley Da Silva, 40, of Cambridge, Oct. 4, 2019. Cory Hemstead, 31, of Brampton, June 19, 2029. Shawn Irvine, 38, of Kitchener, Oct. 29, 2018. Derek Johne, 28, of Magnetawan, June 20, 2017. Curtis McGowan, 32, of Guelph, Oct. 6, 2017. Peter Ormond, 38, of Kitchener, Sept. 25, 2017. Rattanbir Sidhu, 23, of Cambridge, May 7, 2019. The inquest, being held virtually, is set to hear from 25 witnesses over 13 days. It began in the morning with inquest counsel Jai Dhar reading the families' statements, starting with one from Da Silva's mother, Liz. She described her son as a magnetic person who loved animals. He was supposed to be safe. He was there to pay for his wrongdoings, not to die there. - Mother of Wesley Da Silva, Maplehurst inmate who died in 2019 "Wesley was my only child, the love of my life, my precious gift," she said. Da Silva also wrote about her anger for the system, which she believes should have kept her son safe. "I did not get to hold him, nor did I get to hold his hand, nor did I get to say goodbye," Da Silva's statement read. "He was supposed to be safe. He was there to pay for his wrongdoings, not to die there." 'My son needed help, but instead he got drugs' Da Silva's sentiment was echoed by Cathy Johne, Derek's mother. In her statement, Johne described her dismay with staff at the jail. "Derek was in custody. He was supposed to be safe," the statement read. Johne said her son was in custody often, but that provided some comfort. "I was always thankful when he was in jail because I believed he was safe, not overdosing on the street somewhere," she wrote. She said Derek wanted to get better, and he was tired of his life in and out of jail. "My son needed help, but instead he got drugs," she wrote, adding, "He thought he was going to be released in a few days, but instead, we had his funeral." Sister of man, other witnesses to address jury In Ontario, inquests into deaths while in custody are mandatory under the Coroners Act. Maplehurst Correctional Complex holds about 1,500 inmates in medium and maximum security. The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the men's deaths and the jury may then make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. Amber McPherson, McGowan's sister, is among those expected to speak before the jury. In an interview with CBC News when the inquest was called in April, she said it's important people know her brother was more than just an addict who died in jail. "I would like to keep Curtis's name going because he was somebody. He could have gotten better. Like people say, maybe he's in a better place because he's not suffering now. But that's not what I believe," she said. "Nothing is going to bring him back, but I feel like we deserve answers. The whole family is going to be part of the Zoom. And we're going to bring pictures and we're going to just fight. Curtis was a good guy. He was hilarious. He had a big heart. He was like a big teddy bear." The main goals of inquests is to publicly examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The jury is tasked with identifying potential safety issues and may make recommendations to prevent future similar deaths.
