An inquiry panel has put forward 13 suggestions to enhance healthcare services at Sudbury Jail in northern Ontario after the passing away of a Wiikwemkoong First Nation individual in custody four years ago.
Justin Alexander Trudeau, aged 44, passed away on February 13, 2021, shortly after beginning a 30-day sentence at the jail. An autopsy revealed that he succumbed to a severe antibiotic-resistant infection that had spread from his lungs to his bloodstream.
Following a week of testimonies unveiling staff shortages for medical and guard personnel, the five-member panel released its recommendations to address the issues.
The proposed measures consist of eight suggestions from the coroner’s office and the jail’s medical team, along with five additional recommendations put forth by the panel. Although non-binding, these suggestions are aimed at prompting policy and procedural changes.
Within six months of the inquiry, the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Sudbury Jail will be requested by the Chief Coroner’s Office to respond to the recommendations, either confirming their implementation or providing reasons for non-compliance.
Key recommendations directed at the Ministry of the Solicitor General include optimizing staffing levels during overnight shifts, upgrading segregation cell door windows for better visibility, setting clear standards for inmate observation during night patrols, transitioning to electronic medical records, and providing enhanced training for nursing staff on sepsis recognition. Moreover, improving cultural training for Indigenous inmates is also advised.
Suggestions aimed at Sudbury Jail include enhancing communication between correctional officers, additional training on documentation standards, and streamlining inmate checks during night patrols.
Common recommendations for both the ministry and the jail encompass providing 24-hour nursing coverage, ensuring doctor evaluations for new inmates, and monitoring inmates showing infection symptoms closely.
Trudeau, who had a mild fever upon arrival at the jail, was isolated for COVID-19 observation. He received treatment for a hand wound and reported rib pain, along with requesting methadone. The night before his demise, he contacted his mother, expressing breathing difficulties and seeking an inhaler.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Martin Queen disclosed that Trudeau’s infection had led to organ failure due to sepsis, citing the need for closer monitoring. Dr. Dominic Mertz, an infectious disease expert, emphasized that early detection could have been crucial, citing a low temperature reading as a missed warning sign the day before his passing.