A month after a dozen inmates overdosed at London's embattled provincial jail, the Ontario government has unveiled a plan aimed at stopping drugs from flowing into the facility, while dealing with inmate addiction issues.
Corrections Minister Michael Tibollo announced the new steps, that go into effect next week, at a news conference held inside of the Regional Intermittent Centre at the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) on Friday.
"Despite the best efforts of the correctional services staff, unfortunately, contraband makes its way into our institutions by mail, visitors coming in, or other persons themselves when they are coming into the facility," said Tibollo. "This is something that we have to stop. The flow of drugs has to stop entering the correctional facilities, such is what's happening here at EMDC. We have to do everything we can to help an inmate leave clean when they exit the facility."
Western Region Canine Handler Jim Maynard and 6-year-old Jax
Measures being taken to stop contraband from getting into the EMDC include the creation of a dedicated canine unit to sniff out deadly opioids and other illicit substances, the hiring of more guards and health care workers, and an ion scanner which can identify trace elements of drugs on items.
There will also be more random cell searches, enhanced body scanner training for staff, and new drug detection kits. A committee made up of frontline staff and managers has been established to provide insight into the issues plaguing the Exeter Road institution.
Tibollo did not disclose the exact cost of the enhanced security measures, only stating that they would be funded through resources already in the system.
"Our commitment is to utilize the resources in a responsible way to bring services to the people that are in our correctional facilities and to ensure that our correctional officers and police officers have the tools they need to do their jobs," said Tibollo.
The minister also addressed the 13 memorial crosses erected outside of the jail by family members of the 13 inmates who have died at EMDC since 2009. Correctional staff previously voiced concerns that the daily reminder of death within their workplace was taking an emotional and psychological toll on them.
"I think we would all find it very hard if we were working here to drive past them every day," said Tibollo. "I would like to see [the crosses] removed from there but something permanent established to remember [the inmates'] lives because every life does matter. At the same time, it would allow the officers here to move on as well because they have a serious job to do here and I would like them to focus on helping people and be recognized for the work that they are doing here."
Tibollo expressed a desire to have more in-depth conversations with the families of inmates who have died at the facility, but noted a class action lawsuit against the province over jail conditions is making that difficult.