A new report released by the office of Ontario's Chief Coroner suggests deaths among incarcerated populations have “risen dramatically” in recent years, painting a picture of a criminal justice system that is struggling to deliver on basic human rights.
The report, authored by the Ontario Chief Coroner’s expert panel on deaths in custody, examines non-homicide deaths of inmates from 2014 to 2021.
However, the report suggests the system is struggling to deliver on basic promises such as providing appropriate and up-to-date healthcare, ensuring correctional officers have comprehensive training in emergency care, mental health, trauma and violence-informed practices, and providing supportive programming to inmates.
“The picture varies from opaque to astoundingly clear. The solutions range from simple to frustratingly complex. The need for action is simply compelling and urgent," the report reads. In their report, the panel made 18 recommendations on how to improve inmate well-being and reduce the number of deaths inside correctional facilities, including the establishment of new quality standards for correctional health-care services in alignment with best practices from relevant professional colleges and organizations.
“A lot of the facilities where these people are being housed are designed as maximum security facilities – really highly structured, highly surveilled places,” Flores said. ”However, most of Canada’s incarcerated population is there for nonviolent drug-related offenses, so many of these facilities aren't currently set up for that.”
“We know that the people who have died in custody were spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, friends, and that they mattered to all those they loved, and were loved by," he said.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Inmates in Ontario jails are dying at a 'dramatically' increasing rate, coroner's report showsA new report released by the office of Ontario's Chief Coroner suggests deaths among incarcerated populations have “risen dramatically” in recent years, painting a picture of a criminal justice system that is struggling to deliver on basic human rights.
Read more »
Coroner's panel offers hard-hitting call to fix Ontario's 'alarming' jail systemThe hard\u002Dhitting report, An Obligation to Prevent, was released Tuesday by the office of the chief coroner of Ontario.
Read more »
Stephen Takacsy's Top Picks: January 31, 2023 - BNN BloombergTopPicks from Stephen Takacsy, president, chief executive officer and chief investment officer, Lester Asset Management
Read more »
2,272 people died from poisoned drug supply in B.C. in 2022: coroner - Terrace StandardMore than 11,000 deaths since public health emergency was declared in April 2016
Read more »
Mentor who became VPD officer Nicole Chan’s friend testifies at coroner’s inquestVancouver Police Sgt. Corey Bech said her troubles became fodder for the rumour mill and she felt her police career was over.
Read more »