Cause of Latest Death At Barton Jail Undetermined

Amy Mckechnie has gathered her friends outside of Hamilton Wentworth detention centre. They’re adding a new cross to the 14 they put in the ground last week. It’s a group she says no one actually wants to be a part of, given that what binds them is they’ve all lost loved ones to suspected drug overdoses that occurred inside the jail.

But the most recent inmate who fell into medical distress on April 29th and died later in hospital may not have been killed by a drug overdose as had been speculated.  The family of Tyler Jackson Baker tells CHCH News that initial indications from the coroner’s office suggest no drugs were found in his system.  A spokesman for Ontario’s chief coroner wouldn’t comment on preliminary findings citing privacy concerns but told CHCH News that Baker’s cause of death is still being investigated and that toxicology tests take between 40 to 45 days to complete.

In the spring of 2018 a coroners inquest was held into eight drug related deaths that took place between 2012 and 2016. A jury put forth 62 recommendations that would help fix the problem. however, the numbers have increased.

Since 2017, there have been another seven suspected drug overdoses at the jail. In 2019, Hamilton paramedics have been called to the Barton jail 59 times, 13 of which were potentially drug or opioid related.

In addition to watching inmates in real time, these families say they are always looking out for every one else.