Hamilton

Date set for inquest examining 8 inmate deaths at Barton street jail

The deaths all occurred between 2012 and 2016 and drugs were a factor in all of them.

The deaths all occurred between 2012 and 2016 and drugs were a factor in all of them

Eight inmate deaths since 2012 will be examined in an inquest in early 2018. (Jeff Green/CBC)

A joint inquest will investigate the deaths of eight men who died while in custody at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

An inquest was announced in 2015 to investigate the deaths of five Barton Street jail inmates. Since then, three more inmates who died at the jail have been added to that list. 

The deaths all happened between 2012 and 2016 and "drug toxicity" was a factor in all of them.

Earlier this year, two other  inmates died at the detention centre — those deaths are not currently included in the inquest.

The inquest will begin in January 2018 and will hear from approximately 100 witnesses over 30 days. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths. 

The inmates included in the inquest are:

  • Louis Angelo Unelli
  • William Acheson
  • Martin Tykoliz
  • Stephen Conrad Neeson
  • David Michael Gillan
  • Trevor Ronald Burke
  • Julien Chavaun Walton
  • Peter Michael McNelis.