Inmate death highlights jail overcrowding

[CHIMO]

The union that represents Alberta's correctional officers says the recent death of an inmate at the Edmonton Remand Centre underlines the need to address overcrowding at the facility.

Barry Raymond Stewart, 59, was found dead in a cell around 5 a.m. Thursday morning.

Another inmate, Justin Caldwell Somers, 25, is charged with second-degree murder in his death.

Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Public Employees, confirmed reports that Somers was a mental health inmate whom psychologists recommended be kept away from other inmates.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/05/14/edm-jail-death.html
May 14, 2011 5:35 PM MT


Man slain in remand serving one day

The man killed in the Edmonton Remand Centre early Thursday was there only because he chose not to pay $110 in fines for trespassing and jaywalking, and would have been released within 24 hours.

Barry Raymond Stewart, 59, of Edmonton was found dead inside a cell Thursday morning. Another prisoner, Justin Caldwell Somers, 25, has been charged with seconddegree murder.

According to court records, Stewart had missed an appearance in traffic court on Feb. 2. Two days later, a warrant was issued in his name. On May 10, he was arrested by police and chose to serve time in jail rather than pay $110 in fines for trespassing, failure to appear and jaywalking.

Stewart arrived at the remand centre at 4 p.m. Wednesday and was held in a basement cell, in a unit reserved for those who had just arrived at, or were about to depart, the remand centre. Somers was his cellmate that night.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/slain+remand+serving/4783906/story.html


A source within the facility claims the victim was stomped on the head 15 times before staff heard a noise and went to investigate.

Inmate killed at Edmonton Remand Centre identified
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/05/13/inmate-killed-at-remand-centre-identified

[lightningandsnow]

1. People have been saying for ages that the jail/prison system needs shrinking.

Building more jails/prisons is not the solution to overcrowding. Why is someone with outstanding jaywalking tickets incarcerated in the first place?

[polly7]

2. Killed while serving one day .... how horrible.

I hope his family can get some justice. Whether they had insufficient room or not, simply monitoring Somers, who they knew was a possible problem would have saved this man. Lazy, incompetent asses.