EMDC memorial 'doesn't solve issues' at the jail: inmate families

Families of some of the inmates who died while behind bars at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) shared concerns and demanded change on Saturday withmembers of the troubled jail's community advisory board.

The meeting was initially organized by the board to discuss a proposed memorial for the 13 known people who died at the jail in the last decade.

"A monument is great, that's a bonus. But that's not what we're there about," said Lynn Pigeau, whose brother James died of an apparent overdose last January. "It's an acknowledgement ... but it's not solving the issues that are going on in EMDC."

"We came out of the gates strong we made it clear we weren't there about a monument. We were there about changes," she said.

Three board representatives met with about six families and lawyer Kevin Egan, who represents current and former inmates in a certified class-action lawsuit against the province.

"It was a good opportunity for everyone to get together to share their grief and frustration with the process and the lack of any answers," said Egan.

Families have long soughtanswers regarding unclear circumstances around many of the former inmate'sdeaths. They continue to seek more supports for both inmates and jail guards.

News of the meeting comes amid the trial of two former EMDC employees accused of failing to provide the necessaries of life in the 2013 beating death of Adam Kargus.

A visible memorial

A memorial was proposed after the families erected 13 crosses last June near the EMDC, close to the roadway along Exeter Road. It's become a site for weekly protests.

Officials told the families that a physical monument that would replace the crosses is part of a healing process.

Some familieslearned that the demonstration has become a trigger for PTSD among somecorrectional staff.

Despite their push for changes within, the families are supportive ofa physical monument. The families saidthe monument should be located along the roadway where the crosses are now instead of being tucked away closer to the south-end jail.

"You put that monument where people can see it We want people to be made aware," said Judy Struthers, whose son Justin died in 2017.

The families prepared a sketch of what the monument could possibly look like. They proposed a seven-foot brick wall with sketches byinmates plastered on it. Some of the sketches include angel wings andbroken jail bars.

The monument could also include a solar-powered window, plaques andsurrounding benches.

Board chair Rebecca Howse said the board is communicating with ministry officials about the families' requests.

"On the part of the ministry, there is a great deal of momentum to reach a satisfactory solution," she said.

"I'm optimistic that with some further negotiation around the design and size, I think that we are in the beginning stages of seeing that memorial established."

Howse said the overall tone of the meeting was very positive

Apparent changes

Apparently, there have already been changes made at the EMDC.

The families and Egan told CBC News they were informed by the board that a gymnasium has openedup for inmates. They were also told that inmates have access to board games and books and that more than 100 volunteers have been leading yoga sessions.

"A lot of what they said was news to me," said Egan. "I'm not saying it's incorrect. They are in a position to know these things and if those things are happening ... I think it's a wonderful thing. If they're actually happening."

For now, the families are waiting untilthe board gets back to them with information about a future follow up meeting.

Inmates remembered:

• Laura Straughan died in 2009
• Randy Drysdale died in 2009
• Adam Kargus died in 2013
• Keith Patterson died in 2014
• Jamie High died in 2014
• Floyd Deleary died in 2015
• Justin Thompson died in 2016
• Raymond G. Major died in 2017
• Mike Fall died in 2017
• Murray Davis died in 2017
• Ron Jenkins died in 2017
• Justin Struthers died in 2017
• James Pigeau died in 2018