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Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre

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Coordinates: 42°55′15″N 81°13′27″W / 42.9208°N 81.2241°W / 42.9208; -81.2241
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Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre
Map
LocationLondon, Ontario, Canada
StatusOperational
Security classMaximum
Capacity450
Opened1977
Managed byMinistry of the Solicitor General

The Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) is a 450-bed maximum-security jail located on the outskirts of London, Ontario.[1][2] Opened in 1977, the facility is operated by the province of Ontario, serving the region of Southwestern Ontario.

In 2016, a 22,000-sq. ft. (2,000 m2) Intermittent Detention Centre was opened at EMDC to house intermittent inmates separately from the general prison population. In 2021, the provincial government closed this facility, but in 2024, it was announced that the Intermittent Detention Centre would be re-opened in the short term amidst prison overcrowding at EMDC and across Ontario.[3]

The prison is known regionally for its harsh conditions, described in a class-action suit as "overcrowded, unsanitary, dangerous, and violent", and for the numerous deaths that have taken place there in recent years. The jail, originally built for 150 inmates, now has a maximum capacity of 450 and has routinely held close to 500 inmates.[4] It is often referred to as "the Devil's Playground".[5]

Prison conditions and deaths

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The prison has frequently made local and regional headlines over persistent concerns about the security of the inmates at the prison[6] as well as prison overcrowding.[7][8][9]As of 2024, there have been twenty-two deaths since 2009:

  1. Randy Drysdale (April 2009)[10]
  2. Laura Straughan (November 13, 2009)[11]
  3. Adam Kargus (October 31, 2013)[12]
  4. Keith Patterson (September 29, 2014)[13]
  5. Jamie High (December 23, 2014)[14]
  6. Floyd Deleary (August 23, 2015)[15]
  7. Justin Thompson (October 31, 2016)[16]
  8. Raymond George Major (June 6, 2017)[17]
  9. Michael Fall (July 30, 2017)[18]
  10. Murray Davis (August 17, 2017)[19]
  11. Ronald Jenkins (December 9, 2017)[20]
  12. Justin Struthers (December 26, 2017)[21]
  13. James Pigeau (January 7, 2018)[22]
  14. Sean William Tourand-Brightman (March 31, 2019)[23]
  15. Chase Blanchard (June 22, 2019)[24]
  16. Malcolm Ripley (November 25, 2020)[25]
  17. Tyler Lancha (March 21, 2021)[26][27]
  18. Clayton (Danny) Bissonnette (March 24, 2021)[28]
  19. Brandon Marchant (July 6, 2021)[29]
  20. Ronald Jack (September 13, 2022)[30]
  21. Jamie Briggs (November 16, 2022)[31]
  22. Bryan Michael Myers (February 16, 2024)[32]

Inmates' deaths have ranged from natural causes (e.g. pneumonia) to suicide, homicide, and drug overdose. A class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of 10,000 inmates against the Government of Ontario, alleging that prison conditions were "overcrowded, unsanitary, dangerous, and violent", constituted systematic negligence, and were a violation of inmates' Charter rights (specifically sections 7 and 12: the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment) sought $325 million in damages.[33] Ultimately, on September 14, 2023, a settlement was approved at $32.7 million in two actions covering inmates detained at the EMDC between October 10, 2011, and November 10, 2021.[34]

In early 2020, the jury in an inquest into two deaths at EMDC in 2015 and 2016 (Deleary and Thompson) recommended the complete replacement of EMDC with another facility.[35]

On May 14, 2024, the province announced an inquest into the deaths of eight men at EMDC (Bissonette, Blanchard, Jenkins, Major, Pigeau, Ripley, Struthers, and Tourand) between 2017 and 2021.[36] The inquest will take place in fall 2024.[37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Adult Facilities Archived 2010-05-15 at the Wayback Machine - Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
  2. ^ "Information London".
  3. ^ "London's intermittent detention centre reopening". cknxnewstoday.ca. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  4. ^ Donnini, Alessio (May 14, 2014). "Inquests to be held into deaths of 8 inmates at London, Ont., jail from 2017-2021". CBC News London.
  5. ^ Zabian, Selena (2018-12-07). "'The devil's playground': Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre". The Gazette • Western University's Student Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  6. ^ EMDC one of the Most Dangerous facilities for staff
  7. ^ Overcrowding causing problems at EMDC
  8. ^ Nearly half of Ontario's jails are overcrowded
  9. ^ Judge reduces sentences because Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre overcrowded
  10. ^ Richmond, Randy (2019-04-02). "Death of inmate Sunday at EMDC is 14th since 2009". The London Free Press. Archived from the original on 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  11. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Watchdog report on London inmate death all too familiar for one family". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  12. ^ Butler, Colin. "Crown claims deadly prisoner beating was so loud it could be heard on jail's lower floor". CBC News. CBC/Radio-Canada. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Day one of inquest into hanging death of EMDC inmate". CTV News. BellMedia. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  14. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Jamie High: St. Thomas realtor who died in custody at London?s provincial jail was focus of Free Press investigative series Indiscernible Author of the article". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  15. ^ XFM News staff. "Heartbreak as families look for answers into EMDC deaths". XFM News. SoCast. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  16. ^ Lale, Brent (23 February 2020). "Inquest to begin Monday into three EMDC deaths". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  17. ^ Postmedia News. "Another inmate has died at troubled jail in London, Ontario: 'There is something wrong with that place'". National Post. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  18. ^ Ennett, Gary. "Inquest into 2017 death of EMDC inmate Michael Fall starts today". CBC News. CBC Radio Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  19. ^ "At EMDC inquest, a parent hopes for some accountability". CBC News. CBC Radio Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  20. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Inmate dies of suicide after one day in EMDC". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  21. ^ Rumelski, Kathy (27 February 2019). "Families hope for answers about deaths of loved ones inside jail". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  22. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Coroner documents raise new questions about two deaths at London jail". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  23. ^ Richmond, Randy (2 April 2019). "Death of inmate Sunday at EMDC is 14th since 2009". The London Free Press. Archived from the original on 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  24. ^ "London inmate's death occurred one day after bail denied: Sources".
  25. ^ Richmond, Randy. "London man, 41, dies at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre". The Londoner. Postmedia. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  26. ^ Paparella, Nick (24 March 2021). "Two deaths this week at EMDC renew calls for change". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Trial begins in the murder of inmate at troubled Ontario jail". Archived from the original on 2017-09-26.
  28. ^ Trevithick, Matthew (24 March 2021). "Second inmate death in three days reported at EMDC, ministry confirms". Global News. Archived from the original on 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  29. ^ Richmond, Randy; Carruthers, Dale (2021-07-17). "Grief, rage, roaring motorcycles as inmate death draws huge jail protest". The London Free Press. Archived from the original on 2021-07-17. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  30. ^ https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/ontario-to-pay-ex-inmates-33m-for-harms-suffered-at-london-jail. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ "'He suffered and died alone': Partner seeks answers in jail inmate's death". lfpress. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  32. ^ Carruthers, Dale (February 27, 2024). "Inmate who died in jail had waited more than six months for bail hearing". London Free Press.
  33. ^ Paparella, Nick (24 March 2021). "Two deaths this week at EMDC renew calls for change". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  34. ^ "Welcome". www.emdcclassaction.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  35. ^ Yu, Alvin (March 17, 2020). "London jail should be replaced, jury recommends". CBC News London.
  36. ^ Hyshka, Ashley (May 15, 2024). "Province announces inquests into 8 EMDC deaths". CTV News London.
  37. ^ Richmond, Randy (August 30, 2024). "Inquest to examine eight deaths at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre". London Free Press.
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42°55′15″N 81°13′27″W / 42.9208°N 81.2241°W / 42.9208; -81.2241


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