Barton jail inmates stage hunger strike protesting COVID lockdown

Inmates on several ranges in the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre are staging hunger strikes as part of growing unrest inside the institution.

There have been a number of measures put in place at the Barton Street jail during the COVID-19 pandemic aimed at preventing an outbreak. But with no confirmed cases at the jail, frustrated inmates are saying enough is enough," says a spokesperson with the Barton Prisoner Solidarity Project.

The group held a solidarity demonstration outside the jail Tuesday evening.

On the weekend, inmates on a range staged a one-day hunger strike in response to gross pre-made meals," said a Barton prisoner solidarity member who uses the pseudonym Camille Desplaines.

Other ranges have also taken part, with inmates demanding better food, reinstatement of personal visits (which have been suspended during the pandemic), mail delivery without delay, an end to rotating lockdowns, improved sanitation and repairs to infrastructure such as air conditioning and toilets.

Joshua Benoit says he is one of 10 inmates on his range who have been on a hunger strike for the last three days. He's only been drinking water, refusing all food. He's grateful to inmates on other ranges taking part.

One of the simplest demands he has is for books. Among the other restrictions during COVID, inmates no longer have access to a librarian, he said. Benoit was also told he couldn't order books.

He has been at the jail about three months awaiting trial on charges in connection with a home invasion.

I would rather take a two-year federal sentence than do six months in here," he said, adding that the lack of programming at jails and extra restrictions right now really puts somebody's mind into pleading guilty to charges for a crime he didn't commit."

Other concerns are about better access to health care - he claimed his cellmate has a suspected broken hand and hasn't been sent for X-rays for five days. Bedding is only changed once a month, he added.

During COVID-19, the jail has been serving some pre-made meals that, in some cases, are only partially thawed, Desplaines said. A particularly gross egg salad sandwich, which had melted into the bread, turning it to mush, was a breaking point that prompted some of the hunger strikes.

Desplaines said some inmates are assessing meals and collectively refusing them if they're not up to their standards.

Staff from the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which oversees the jail, are communicating with inmates to address their concerns, said ministry spokesperson Kristy Denette.

Inmates are provided three nutritionally balanced meals plus one snack each day," she said, adding that all correctional facilities provide healthy food according to Canada's Food Guide."

The ministry also has policies and procedures when inmates refuse meals, she said.

Desplaines said, from what they've heard from inmates, the corrections staff are taking back the refused food and in some cases bringing back replacements.

Benoit said it appears some corrections staff are trying to entice them to eat by bringing up extra food.

The ministry is working on interim measures that include a greater variety of items in the canteen, providing extra postage and additional entertainment options. Denette noted inmates continue to have phone access.

She confirmed the jail has been conducting rotating partial lockdowns to facilitate physical-distancing measures for the protection of our staff and those in our custody." However, inmates are given allotted time outside their cells daily.

Another inmate on the fourth floor, who asked to remain anonymous, said he wants to see immediate change.

The administration takes hunger strikes seriously, he said, adding that it made sense to take action after protests at other jails. A hunger strike at Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ont., ended Friday after five days.

The demands are appropriate and make sense," he said. People need to be in touch with their families."

The Barton jail is a remand centre where most inmates are awaiting bail or trial. A small number are serving short sentences of less than two years. During COVID, the courts have been working to process bail quicker and there are fewer people in the jail.

Desplaines said that some inmates they've heard from are concerned changes brought in because of the pandemic will become the norm.

The demands may seem small to some, but to those incarcerated, the stakes are high," Desplaines said.

It feels very important to them."

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com