Man slain in remand serving one day
By Ryan Cormier, Edmonton Journal May 14, 2011 3:20 AM
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.
On Friday, the president of the president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees said Somers was not supposed to be held in that area of the centre.
"That inmate in question, the one who was charged, was supposed to be in the mental-health unit, but it was too full, so he was put into that holding area," Guy Smith said.
A correctional peace officer in the remand, who did not want to be named, said the mental-health unit had been full for a number of days. Somers was being held for failure to comply with a court order.
Earlier this year Somers was convicted of assault causing bodily harm. He was "in a holding pattern," under an order not to be housed or exercised with anyone else because of his mental state, the source said. "He was supposed to be in a cell, locked up, by himself."
During the day on May 11, Somers's classification was changed so he could be housed with "compatible inmates," instead of by himself. He ended up with Stewart, who the officer said was "definitely not compatible."
Stewart had been to the remand centre 21 times since 1977, all for minor offences, mostly to avoid paying fines. "I do not agree with what happened to him," the officer said. "At all."
Stewart's head was reportedly stomped on while he slept on a mattress on the floor. "It was a very gruesome sight for officers."
Before his death, Stewart stayed in various shelters and hotels. He had recently stayed at the Salvation Army, and spent his final weeks in a room at the Grand Hotel on 103rd Street, until he left last week.
Smith said the death highlights the staffing crisis at the remand centre. He spoke to Solicitor General Frank Oberle on Wednesday about staffing issues and staff morale.
Smith said staffing is reduced by one peace officer between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. to deal with administrative duties. It's also a time of preparation for escorting inmates to court.
"We hoped this wouldn't lead to a crisis, and now it has," Smith said.
The centre currently holds three times the number of inmates it was designed for.
He is the 20th homicide victim of the year in Edmonton.
His death was the second homicide in the history of the 734-bed centre. On Sept. 10, 2005, Todd Stevenson was beaten to death in his cell. No charges were ever laid.
A new $586-million remand centre will finish construction next year. It is designed to hold roughly 2,800 inmates.
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