Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre

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

The Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre also known as EMDC, is a 450-bed maximum security jail located in London, Ontario.[1][2] Concerns have recently been raised about the security of the inmates at the prison[3] as well as prison overcrowding.[4][5][6]

There have been twenty-one [7] deaths since 2009:

  1. Randy Drysdale (April 2009)[8]
  2. Laura Straughan (November 13, 2009)[9]
  3. Adam Kargus (October 31, 2013)[10]
  4. Keith Patterson (September 29, 2014)[11]
  5. Jamie High (December 23, 2014)[12]
  6. Floyd Deleary (August 23, 2015)[13]
  7. Justin Thompson (October 31, 2016)[14]
  8. Raymond George Major (June 6, 2017)[15]
  9. Michael Fall (July 30, 2017)[16]
  10. Murray Davis (August 17, 2017)[17]
  11. Ronald Jenkins (December 9, 2017)[18]
  12. Justin Struthers (December 26, 2017)[19]
  13. James Pigeau (January 7, 2018)[20]
  14. Sean William Tourand-Brightman (March 31, 2019)[21]
  15. Chase Blanchard (June 22, 2019)[22]
  16. Malcolm Ripley (November 25, 2020)[23]
  17. Tyler Lancha (March 21, 2021)[24][25]
  18. Clayton (Danny) Bissonnette 61-year-old man (March 24, 2021)[26]
  19. Brandon Marchant (July 6, 2021)[27]
  20. Ronald Jack, 59, (Sept. 13, 2022)[28]
  21. Jamie Briggs (November 16, 2022)[29]

Inmates' deaths ranged from natural causes (pneumonia) to suicide/homicide and drug overdose. Most of the deaths are handled by Kevin Egan, a lawyer and advocate for inmates at EMDC. Egan is also a part of a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of 10,000 inmates for CAD$325 million in damages against the Government of Ontario.[30]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Adult Facilities Archived 2010-05-15 at the Wayback Machine - Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
  2. ^ "Information London".
  3. ^ EMDC one of the Most Dangerous facilities for staff
  4. ^ Overcrowding causing problems at EMDC
  5. ^ Nearly half of Ontario's jails are overcrowded
  6. ^ Judge reduces sentences because Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre overcrowded
  7. ^ The London Free Press https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/grief-rage-roaring-motorcycles-as-inmate-death-draws-huge-jail-protest. Archived from the original on 2021-07-17. Retrieved 2021-07-23. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Watchdog report on London inmate death all too familiar for one family". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Day one of inquest into hanging death of EMDC inmate". CTV News. BellMedia. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ XFM News staff. "Heartbreak as families look for answers into EMDC deaths". XFM News. SoCast. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  14. ^ Lale, Brent (23 February 2020). "Inquest to begin Monday into three EMDC deaths". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Ennett, Gary. "Inquest into 2017 death of EMDC inmate Michael Fall starts today". CBC News. CBC Radio Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  17. ^ "At EMDC inquest, a parent hopes for some accountability". CBC News. CBC Radio Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  18. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Inmate dies of suicide after one day in EMDC". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  19. ^ Rumelski, Kathy (27 February 2019). "Families hope for answers about deaths of loved ones inside jail". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  20. ^ Richmond, Randy. "Coroner documents raise new questions about two deaths at London jail". The London Free Press. Postmedia. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "London inmate's death occurred one day after bail denied: Sources".
  23. ^ Richmond, Randy. "London man, 41, dies at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre". The Londoner. Postmedia. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  24. ^ Paparella, Nick (24 March 2021). "Two deaths this week at EMDC renew calls for change". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Trial begins in the murder of inmate at troubled Ontario jail". Archived from the original on 2017-09-26.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ 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)
  29. ^ "'He suffered and died alone': Partner seeks answers in jail inmate's death". lfpress. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  30. ^ Paparella, Nick (24 March 2021). "Two deaths this week at EMDC renew calls for change". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 1 April 2021.

External links[edit]

42°55′15″N 81°13′27″W / 42.9208°N 81.2241°W / 42.9208; -81.2241