Ontario to hold inquests into deaths of 2 men at provincial jails

Ontario's ministry of the solicitor general has announced inquests into the deaths of two men at provincial jails one more than a decade ago and another in 2018.

Dr. Richard Wells, regional supervising coroner for the central region at the Toronto West office, announced theinquests in separate news releases on Thursday. Inquests into the deaths are mandatory under the Coroners Act.

Kevon Junior O'Brien-Phillip, 24, died at the now-closed Don Jail on Jan. 2, 2010.Dustin McMillan, 36, died at the Toronto South Detention Centre on June 29, 2018.

CBC News has previously reported that correctional staff found O'Brien-Phillip with "obvious signs of trauma," according to police. He was taken to hospital, where he later died.

No further details about the deaths have been released.

Juries at both inquests may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.

The ministry has not released the date and venue of the inquest into O'Brien-Phillip's death, saying details will be provided at a later date.

The inquest into McMillan's death will begin Monday, Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. It is expected to last five days, hear from about eight witnesses and will be conducted by video conference.

The ministry said Dr. Geoffrey Bond will be the presiding officer at that inquest and Julian Roy will be the inquest counsel.

Julia Noonan, spokesperson for the Ontario solicitor general's ministry, said in an email on Thursday thatthe timing of inquests is baseda number of factors.

Noonan said the nature and extent of an investigation into a death, complexity of issues raisedand any third-party investigations or prosecutions, such as criminal proceedings, can contribute to delays in scheduling inquests.

"As matters involving juries were suspended for significant periods of time during the COVID pandemic, we have a substantial caseload. However, we are diligently working to ensure that every matter is addressed in an effective and thorough, but efficient, manner," Noonan said.