A recent coroner’s inquest delved into the suicide of an individual at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre (HWDC), resulting in recommendations for both the center and Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General. Sean White, aged 32, passed away on August 12, 2021, after being discovered hanging in his cell a day following his transfer to the jail. The inquest, conducted in Toronto from October 6 to 10 to investigate the circumstances surrounding White’s death, heard a statement from his younger brother, Alexander White, highlighting Sean’s history of substance abuse struggles.
The jury, concluding the inquest on October 10, determined White’s cause of death as suicide by hanging. Among the ten recommendations issued, the jury urged the Ministry of the Solicitor General and HWDC to review and revise policies to ensure that any information indicating a suicide risk, received during admission, is promptly recorded as an alert in the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS). Additionally, the jury suggested that correctional officers, especially in the admitting and discharge areas, receive specialized training in mental health to better identify at-risk individuals, even if their initial behavior does not indicate suicide risk.
The recommendations also included mandatory yearly refresher training for officers and the implementation of measures like a 24- to 48-hour hold for monitoring inmates with a history of mental health and substance use disorders. These measures are to be carried out with the input of clinical and health-care staff. Inquests like these are convened by a coroner post-death to propose preventive measures for similar incidents in the future. While the jury’s recommendations are not binding, they provide guidance for organizations to follow.
For those facing mental health challenges or in crisis, various resources are available, such as the Suicide Crisis Helpline (988), Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868), Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention’s 24-hour crisis centers, and support guides from organizations like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.