Hamilton inmate behind growing hunger strike says 'broken system' to blame for poor jail conditions
CBC
The inmate who started a hunger strike at Hamilton's Barton Street jail this week said staffing issues and a broken system are behind deteriorating conditions at the detention centre.
"It's sickening ... lives are at stake," Jesse Bull told CBC Hamilton in a phone interview Thursday.
The strike started Wednesday morning amid what inmates say are constant lockdowns, a lack of outdoor time and the fear they may lose access to specialty TV channels.
The maximum-security jail's official name is the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.
Cedar Hopperton, a volunteer with the Barton Prisoner Solidarity Project, said Thursday the number of inmates striking is now roughly 180.
Bull said that in the last two months, he's only been able to access the yard and breathe fresh air once, due to a lack of staff.
"If one guard doesn't show up that day for work ... we get no yard," he said.
"There are no extra guards at all."
Andrew Morrison, a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, told CBC Hamilton that a maintenance project in the yard limited time outside, but a "regular yard schedule" has resumed.
However, Bull said, outdoor time was an issue even before the construction work began.
Bull said lockdowns are another issue. He said they result in three people being held together in a cell, despite there only being enough room for one.
Hopperton previously said some lockdowns have lasted three days.
While in lockdown, inmates aren't given access to hot water or jugs to urinate in either, according to Bull.
"Whenever we get locked down, it's just a staffing issue ... it's not because we're fighting or drinking," he said.
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