Claims of inmate abuse put court cases at risk

Solicitor general investigating alleged mistreatment by guards at Maplehurst

- BRENDAN KENNEDY

Alison Craig is the lawyer for three of the inmates involved. "At some point, the only way to get the message across that they cannot treat inmates like human garbage is for there to be serious implications in court," she said.

Correctional officers at an Ontario jail are being accused of carrying out a brutal act of collective punishment against dozens of inmates in an incident that is now impacting court cases across the province.

Two days after a guard was assaulted by an inmate on Dec. 20, jail guards allegedly stormed sections of Milton’s Maplehurst Correctional Complex, beating and pepper-spraying inmates who were not involved in the assault.

In a co-ordinated operation that spanned two days, guards allegedly went cell-to-cell on the unit where the assault occurred, strip-searching every inmate and zip-tying their hands.

Lawyers for the affected inmates are making court applications to have charges stayed or sentences shortened in response to what they argue are blatant violations of their clients’ Charter rights.

“At some point the only way to get the message across that they cannot treat inmates like human garbage is for there to be serious implications in court,” said Alison Craig, the lawyer for three of the inmates.

“I think it has to be an extreme remedy in court that hopefully will send the message that jails can’t be run this way.”

The Ministry of the Solicitor General is now investigating the incident, the Star has learned, but a ministry spokesperson refused to confirm a review was underway. The spokesperson also refused to answer any questions about the incident, citing its connection to ongoing court cases.

“The safety of both staff and inmates inside Ontario’s correctional institutions is of serious importance,” the spokesperson said, “and misconduct in any form is not tolerated.”