Coroner’s inquest jury recommends closing of ‘inhumane’ Thunder Bay jail (opens original article in a new tab)

A coroner's inquest jury recommended closing the Thunder Bay District Jail, citing inhumane conditions and overcrowding, following the suicide of Kevin Mamakwa in 2020. The jury also suggested decommissioning the facility within five years of a new jail's opening in 2027.

• Jury recommended closure of Thunder Bay District Jail due to unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
• Kevin Mamakwa died by suicide in the jail in 2020, with 22 recommendations issued by the jury.
• The facility has faced long-standing criticism, including reports of overcrowding and lack of mental health support.