Inmates sue for $3.5M over alleged jail abuse

Five claim they were punched, kicked by several masked guards

OTTAWA — Five prisoners, including a convicted killer, are suing the Ontario government for $3.5 million for alleged beatings at a provincial jail here.

The five inmates allege that during a lockdown in April 2012, masked guards entered their cells, where the prisoners were punched, kicked or struck with riot shields. Their heads frequently hit walls or the floor, the lawsuit says.

The statement of claim, alleges some assaults occurred after inmates were handcuffed. The prisoners contend they offered no resistance. Each is seeking $700,000 in damages.

The statement of claim alleges “the correctional officers’ conduct was insulting, high-handed, spiteful, malicious and oppressive,” causing the plaintiffs “emotional distress, humiliation, indignation, anxiety, grief, fear and the like.”

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

The plaintiffs are Benjamin Taylor, who was found guilty of manslaughter in a stabbing death; convicted arsonist Wael Chamoun; carjacker and dangerous offender Kevin Ransdell; Clint Grainger, who faced break-in charges; and Alain Chaput, who was in jail for driving while disqualified.

The province’s Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has yet to file a statement of defence. However, the statement of claim says the prisoners were accused of assaulting a peace officer and/or attempting to take an officer hostage.

It is the second lawsuit this year to allege abuse at the Ottawa jail. In April, another dangerous offender and convicted killer, Jeffrey Verdon, filed an $800,000 lawsuit against the province, alleging he was assaulted eight times over three years and suffered a broken leg.

Prisoner Jean-Paul Rheaume filed a $1.45-million lawsuit last year alleging he suffered grievous injuries after a guard stomped on him as he lay restrained on the floor. That guard has since been charged and fired; others were suspended.

Rheaume’s lawsuit followed a scathing report by Ontario ombudsman Andre Marin about coverups and abuse in Ontario jails. Marin said the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre “exemplifies everything that is wrong in a correctional institution” and was “the worst example of coverup and the excessive use of force.”