Latest inmate death inside Barton Street jail linked to drugs
Source says death appears to be drug related
Another inmate has died inside the Barton Street jail, the Ministry of Corrections confirmed on Tuesday.
"I can confirm that an inmate at the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre passed away in the institution on February 15, 2015," ministry spokesperson Brent Ross told CBC Hamilton in a statement.
Ross would not say how the inmate died, but a source with inside knowledge of the jail told CBC Hamilton that the death appears to be drug related.
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The inmate was found unresponsive in his cell around 9 a.m. alongside drug paraphernalia and a white powder, the source said.
Both jail guards and paramedics attempted CPR at the scene, but the inmate wasn’t revived.
"This matter is currently under investigation by the police, coroner and the Ministry, as such, it would be inappropriate to speak further on any specific details of the incident," Ross said.
"They're the ones who determine the cause of death."
Prior to this death, there have been four drug-related deaths at the Hamilton Wenthworth Detention Centre in the last two years. A coroner's inquest is expected to be called to examine them. Two inmates also overdosed last week at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, but were revived.
Dan Sidsworth, the former head of the jail guard's Ontario Public Service Employees Union local at the detention centre told CBC Hamilton that jail deaths involving drugs tend to come and go in waves, historically.
"This seems to be another peak right now," he said.
A 32-year-old Toronto lawyer was also arrested last week for allegedly smuggling drugs into a Toronto courthouse.