Ministry investigates death of female inmate
Authorities are investigating the death of a female inmate at Windsor’s South West Detention Centre.
According to a spokesman for the provincial Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, detention centre staff found the woman unresponsive in her cell on Sunday.
Police and other emergency responders were called shortly after 9 p.m.
First aid was performed on the woman until paramedics arrived.
The woman was taken to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
It’s the first time since it opened in 2014 that a South West Detention Centre inmate has died.
The Office of the Chief Coroner is attempting to determine the cause and manner of the woman’s death.
The major crimes branch of the Windsor Police Service is investigating to determine if the death is related to any criminal activity.
Police said that an autopsy was scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
The ministry is conducting an internal investigation to ensure that all policies and procedures were followed regarding the care and custody of the inmate.
An inquest is mandatory if the cause of death is found to be unnatural.
Ministry spokesman Andrew Morrison said it would be inappropriate to comment further out of respect for the deceased woman’s right to privacy, especially concerning personal health information.
The last time an inquest was conducted due to a local inmate dying while in ministry custody was the case of Kendra Blackbird.
On Sept. 30, 2012, Blackbird was found in a comatose state in her cell at the now-closed Windsor Jail on Brock Street.
An autopsy found that Blackbird had a variety of drugs in her system at the time of her death, including oxycodone and sedatives.
Further investigation revealed that another inmate had smuggled the drugs into the jail, and Blackbird had spent the night snorting them.
The inquest resulted in six recommendations for the South West Detention Centre in regards to supervision of medical conditions, recognizing drug addiction and overdoses, and improving detection of contraband.