The jury lays out recommendations to conclude the Timothy Elliott death inquest.
The inquest, which is mandatory under the Coroners Act, examined the circumstances surrounding the 42 year old inmates passing.
Related: Timothy Elliott Inquest Day One
Elliott was found deceased around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday September 12th 2015.
Related: Timothy Elliott Inquest Day Two
Below are the recommendations for the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Thunder Bay District Jail
1) New Building
The Ministry of the Solicitor General should
- Continue advancing the plans for the new correctional institution in Thunder Bay that’ll replace the Thunder Bay District Jail
- Make best efforts that the new institution includes more space, such as more inmate living, programming, health care services, secure outdoor green space and staff rooms
- Increase access to computers for staff
- Increase more privacy for meetings between health care staff and inmates, including at the admission and discharge area
2) New Institution Design
The Ministry of the Solicitor General should
- Actively consider strategies to ensure safe and effective night shift tours and reduce, as much as possible, potential suspension points in cells
3) Staff shortages
The Ministry of the Solicitor General
- Continue and where possible enhance a local recruitment effort to provide appropriate staffing levels at Thunder Bay District Jail
- Continue to work with internal and external stakeholders
- Provide strategies and solutions regarding northern recruitment
- Continue to utilize media campaign to attract candidates
4) Inmate Mental Health
The Ministry of the Solicitor General
- Should endeavor to secure more access to mental health services provided by psychiatrists and psychologists at Thunder Bay District Jail.
5) Compliance and Policies
Management at Thunder Bay District Jail
- Should circulate a memorandum reminding staff to ensure that cell lights are not covered and that there are no obstructions placed on the front of cell grills that would restrict officer view into the cell, as set out in the TBDJ Standing Orders, section 7.9.1
- Ensure during inmate counts, will provide direct observation as set out in the TBDJ Standing Orders 5.32
- Visual cell inspections are to be conducted as per TBDJ Standing Orders
- The memo will be reviewed with staff during morning muster meetings everyday for ten consecutive days and monthly thereafter
6) New Policy
Management at Thunder Bay District Jail
- Should consider following policy changes, including visual night inspection checks be done with flashlights by two officers within the day area
- When required, use verbal communication if visibility of inmate is obscured
- Any graffiti on cell walls or bunks during cell inspection should be counted on and, when necessary, the inmate should be sent to a mental health nurse on site for timely review
7) Training
Ministry of the Solicitor General
- Should continue providing suicide prevention and awareness training during orientation at the Correctional Officer Training Centre and a regular refresher in house
8) Electronic Medical Records
Ministry of the Solicitor General
- Should consider implementing an electronic medical record system
