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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
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LocationLondon, Ontario, Canada
StatusOperational
Security classMaximum
Capacity353
Opened1977
Managed byMinistry of the Solicitor General

The Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) is a maximum security provincial 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.

The prison, known regionally for its harsh conditions and numerous deaths in custody, is often described as "overcrowded, unsanitary and dangerous".[3] Although EMDC currently has capacity to house a maximum of 353 inmates, the facility routinely operates beyond this limit.[4][5] Approximately 70% of EMDC prisoners are awaiting trial and presumptively innocent.[6]

EMDC's 22,000 square foot Regional Intermittent Centre (RIC) was opened in 2016 to allow inmates serving intermittent sentences to be held separately from the general prison population.[7] Despite shuttering the RIC Centre in 2021, the Ford government later announced its intention to reopen the facility by 2026 in order to address overcrowding.[8]

Prison conditions and deaths

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EMDC has frequently made local and regional headlines due to persistent concerns about the security of the inmates at the prison[9] as well as prison overcrowding.[10][11][12] The prison has been nicknamed "the devil's playground".[13][14] At least 23 individuals have died while incarcerated at EMDC between 2009 and 2024:

  1. Randy Drysdale (April 25, 2009)[15][16]
  2. Laura Straughan (November 13, 2009)[17]
  3. Adam Kargus (October 31, 2013)[18]
  4. Keith Patterson (September 29, 2014)[19]
  5. Jamie High (December 23, 2014)[20]
  6. Floyd Deleary (August 23, 2015)[21]
  7. Justin Thompson (October 31, 2016)[22]
  8. Raymond George Major (June 6, 2017)[23]
  9. Michael Fall (July 30, 2017)[24]
  10. Murray Davis (August 17, 2017)[25]
  11. Ronald Jenkins (December 9, 2017)[26]
  12. Justin Struthers (December 26, 2017)[27]
  13. James Pigeau (January 7, 2018)[28]
  14. Sean William Tourand-Brightman (March 31, 2019)[29]
  15. Chase Blanchard (June 22, 2019)[30]
  16. Malcolm Ripley (November 25, 2020)[31]
  17. Tyler Lancha (March 21, 2021)[32][33]
  18. Clayton (Danny) Bissonnette (March 24, 2021)[34]
  19. Brandon Marchant (July 6, 2021)[35]
  20. Ronald Jack (September 13, 2022)[36]
  21. Jamie Briggs (November 16, 2022)[37]
  22. Bryan Michael Myers (February 16, 2024)[38]
  23. Matthew Bouvier (October 24, 2024)[39][40]

Inmates' deaths have ranged from natural causes (e.g. pneumonia) to suicide, homicide, and drug overdose. In 2018, a consolidated class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of 10,000 inmates against the Government of Ontario, alleging that the dangerous conditions at EMDC amounted to systemic negligence and violated inmates' Charter rights.[41] The lawsuit initially sought $325 million in damages, but was settled for $32.7 million in September 2023.[42]

In 2018, family and friends of prisoners who died in EMDC custody began erecting memorial crosses on property opposite the facility’s main entrance.[43] Prison staff repeatedly complained that this “constant reminder of traumatic and tragic circumstances” negatively impacted their mental health and created an unsafe work environment.[44][45] In 2021, the union representing EMDC staff successfully sought an order from the Ontario Grievance Settlement Board to have the memorial removed on the basis that the crosses posed “an unacceptable risk to the psychological health and safety of staff members at the facility.”[46] Then-Solicitor General Sylvia Jones confirmed that the memorial had been dismantled shortly thereafter.[47]

In early 2020, the jury in an inquest into two deaths at EMDC in 2015 and 2016 (Floyd Deleary and Justin Thompson) recommended the complete replacement of EMDC with another facility.[48]

On May 14, 2024, the province announced an inquest into the deaths of eight men at EMDC (Clayton Bissonette, Chase Blanchard, Ronald Jenkins, Raymond George Major, James Pigeau, Malcolm Ripley, Justin Struthers, and Sean William Tourand-Brightman) between 2017 and 2021.[49] Days before its scheduled start date in October 2024, the Ministry of the Solicitor General applied to have the scope of the inquest narrowed.[50] The proceedings were subsequently postponed with no specified return date.[51]

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. ^ "Human Rights Commissioner slams EMDC as 'overcrowded, unsanitary and dangerous'". CBC News. May 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Donnini, Alessio (May 14, 2024). "Inquests to be held into deaths of 8 inmates at London, Ont., jail from 2017-2021'". CBC News.
  5. ^ Casey, Liam (March 7, 2024). "Ontario jails, including Windsor's, operated over capacity last year". The Canadian Press.
  6. ^ Richmond, Randy (October 4, 2021). "Ontario's little-noticed plan to privatize, expand GPS monitoring of inmates". The London Free Press.
  7. ^ "Elgin Middlesex Regional Intermittent Centre". Ontario.ca. September 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "London's intermittent detention centre reopening". cknxnewstoday.ca. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  9. ^ EMDC one of the Most Dangerous facilities for staff
  10. ^ Overcrowding causing problems at EMDC
  11. ^ Nearly half of Ontario's jails are overcrowded
  12. ^ Judge reduces sentences because Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre overcrowded
  13. ^ Zabian, Selena (2018-12-07). "'The devil's playground': Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre". The Gazette • Western University's Student Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  14. ^ Kelly, Nicole (2021). "The Devil's Playground: A Case Study of Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) Demonstrating the System Failings of the Ontario Corrections Regime". Manitoba Law Journal.
  15. ^ "Overcrowding, understaffing and 'culture of violence' rampant at notorious Ontario jail: lawyer". CBC News. December 1, 2017.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Watchdog report on London inmate death all too familiar for one family". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Day one of inquest into hanging death of EMDC inmate". CTV News. BellMedia. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ XFM News staff. "Heartbreak as families look for answers into EMDC deaths". XFM News. SoCast. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  22. ^ Lale, Brent (23 February 2020). "Inquest to begin Monday into three EMDC deaths". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ Ennett, Gary. "Inquest into 2017 death of EMDC inmate Michael Fall starts today". CBC News. CBC Radio Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  25. ^ "At EMDC inquest, a parent hopes for some accountability". CBC News. CBC Radio Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  26. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Inmate dies of suicide after one day in EMDC". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  27. ^ Rumelski, Kathy (27 February 2019). "Families hope for answers about deaths of loved ones inside jail". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  28. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Coroner documents raise new questions about two deaths at London jail". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ "London inmate's death occurred one day after bail denied: Sources".
  31. ^ Richmond, Randy. "London man, 41, dies at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre". The Londoner. Postmedia. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  32. ^ Paparella, Nick (24 March 2021). "Two deaths this week at EMDC renew calls for change". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Trial begins in the murder of inmate at troubled Ontario jail". Archived from the original on 2017-09-26.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ "Ontario to pay ex-inmates $33M for harms suffered at London jail".
  37. ^ "'He suffered and died alone': Partner seeks answers in jail inmate's death". lfpress. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  38. ^ Carruthers, Dale (February 27, 2024). "Inmate who died in jail had waited more than six months for bail hearing". London Free Press.
  39. ^ Varley, Kristylee (October 25, 2024). "EMDC death being investigated by London police". CTV News London.
  40. ^ Bieman, Jennifer (October 28, 2024). "Friends speak out after death of man found unresponsive in London jail". The London Free Press.
  41. ^ Paparella, Nick (24 March 2021). "Two deaths this week at EMDC renew calls for change". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  42. ^ "Welcome". www.emdcclassaction.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  43. ^ "Memorial crosses outside EMDC removed following grievance board ruling". Global News. July 13, 2021.
  44. ^ Richmond, Randy (July 31, 2018). "Inmate memorial crosses triggering for EMDC staff". The London Free Press.
  45. ^ "Memorial crosses outside EMDC removed following grievance board ruling". Global News. July 13, 2021.
  46. ^ "Ontario Public Service Employees Union v Ontario (Solicitor General)". May 3, 2021.
  47. ^ "Memorial crosses outside EMDC removed following grievance board ruling". Global News. July 13, 2021.
  48. ^ Yu, Alvin (March 17, 2020). "London jail should be replaced, jury recommends". CBC News London.
  49. ^ Hyshka, Ashley (May 15, 2024). "Province announces inquests into 8 EMDC deaths". CTV News London.
  50. ^ Richmond, Randy (October 26, 2024). "Amid latest London jail death, inquest into seven previous fatalities sputters". The London Free Press.
  51. ^ Richmond, Randy (October 26, 2024). "Amid latest London jail death, inquest into seven previous fatalities sputters". The 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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