Family of inmate who died while in custody fight for answers

A family from Hamilton has many questions as they piece together the circumstances around their son’s death while in custody. Two weeks ago, Jamie Dooley died at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, also known as the Barton Street jail. How, and why he died are unclear.

Jamie’s mother, Tangie Gagnon said, “The last two weeks have almost been a blur. Very painful. A lot of questions.”

The family says that on Tuesday, May 28, guards at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre discovered Dooley deceased. Later that day, police officers knocked on the door to deliver the news to the family.

Hamilton police confirmed via email today that they conducted a sudden death investigation at the detention centre on Tuesday, May 28 and that the death was determined to be non-suspicious.

They add that as is standard procedure with in-custody deaths, an inquest will be completed by the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

The family says that Dooley identified as a man, but his family continues to refer to them using she/her pronouns because that was their preference at home.

“From an early age, she didn’t want to wear your stereotypical girls’ clothes.”

Dooley’s family says the detention centre told them he was placed in a segregation cell in the women’s side of the jail because he identifies as a man.

Jamie’s sister, Melissa Dooley said, “I think that’s what’s upsetting me most is knowing that my sister passed away alone by herself with no ability to get support.”

Eight years ago, the Ontario Human Rights Commission urged the province to phase out solitary confinement. CHCH News spoke with Peter Bouchy, a criminal defence lawyer and he says it is a concern.

“Segregation is a huge problem in Hamilton… My understanding is there’s about 1,400 segregation placements for about 11,500 prisoners which works out to 31 placements per prisoner which is outrageous respectfully,” Bouchy said.

The Dooley family added that an autopsy report found the death was unnatural. They’re now waiting for toxicology reports, but suspect Dooley died of a drug overdose.

“Somewhere along the lines, something failed. Whether she brought them in herself or someone gave them to her,’ Tangie said.

The family says Dooley had a long history of mental health and drug use.

Dooley’s mother Tangie said, “It’s hard to wait for answers. We want to know right away.”

In an email to CHCH News, the Office of the Chief Coroner said death investigations can take many months to complete and the details aren’t released publicly. CHCH also reached out to the superintendent of the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre but didn’t hear back in time.