14 Hamilton jail inmates have died from overdoses since 2012 but Ontario change is slow, inquest hears

The Ontario government has been under scrutiny for failing to implement recommendations from a coroner’s inquest aimed at preventing inmate deaths from drug overdoses at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre. Despite having six years to act on the 62 recommendations made following the deaths of eight men between 2012 and 2016, close to half of the recommendations remain unaddressed.

During the current inquest for six men who died under similar circumstances between 2017 and 2021, it was revealed that corrections officers still do not carry nasal naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. This lack of action has raised concerns among advocacy groups, including the John Howard Society of Canada, who were involved in the inquest proceedings.

Tracy Sharp, the sister-in-law of one of the deceased inmates, expressed frustration over the government’s inaction, stating that meaningful steps need to be taken to address the ongoing crisis. The families of the victims, along with prison reform advocates, are calling for urgent reforms to prevent future deaths in custody.

Inquests are mandated under the Ontario Coroner’s Act for individuals who die in custody, with jurors empowered to make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. In this case, inquest counsel highlighted 27 recommendations from the 2018 inquest that have yet to be implemented, including measures to improve inmate safety and access to life-saving medications.

The current inquest focused on the deaths of Jason Archer, Paul Debien, Nathaniel Golden, and Igor Petrovic, who all succumbed to drug overdoses while in custody. Misconduct notices issued to the men posthumously for possessing contraband were criticized by counsel, who emphasized the need for a more compassionate and effective approach to handling such incidents.

While the Ministry of the Solicitor General cited budget and staffing constraints as challenges in implementing all recommendations, advocates argue that more can be done to prioritize inmate safety. Recommendations such as limiting the number of inmates per cell, conducting thorough searches for contraband, and providing naloxone to all corrections officers are seen as crucial steps to prevent future tragedies.

Despite some progress, such as offering opioid agnostic treatment to inmates, there is still much work to be done to address the root causes of drug overdoses in correctional facilities. Advocates are calling for a holistic approach that includes regular health assessments, training for inmates in CPR, and the transfer of public health programs to the Ministry of Health for better oversight.

As the inquest draws to a close, it is clear that immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre. The families of the victims, along with advocacy groups, are urging the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals in custody by implementing the recommendations without delay.