Two inmates have died at Edmonton Institution, raising alarm about systemic issues within Canada’s maximum-security prisons. The Correctional Service Canada (CSC) confirmed the deaths of Evan Foureyes, 35, on February 21, 2025, and Latto Sesay, 40, on February 23, 2025. Both inmates were serving sentences and their deaths have sparked fears over the conditions prevalent within correctional facilities.
Authorities, including the Edmonton Police Service, have reported their investigations concluded the deaths were non-criminal. Specific details surrounding the causes of their deaths have yet to be revealed, as privacy laws limit CSC's disclosures. Nonetheless, both families have been notified as per protocol.
This recent incident is not isolated but is part of broader concerns about the Edmonton Institution, which has faced criticism for various issues, including overcrowding and staffing shortages. The area's toxic workplace culture has raised red flags among advocates and regulatory bodies.
The Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) raised concerns about deaths like these, asserting, “any death in custody raises concerns about systemic issues, not just at Edmonton Institution, but across maximum-security institutions as a whole.” Reports indicate multifactorial causes may underlie such tragedies, with criticisms ranging from violence and altercations to higher rates of suicide and overdoses.
James Bloomfield, prairies regional president with the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO), emphasized the trauma such events impose on staff members, saying, “When you have a loss of life in your workplace, whether it’s an inmate or a staff member or anybody else, it still affects everybody.” This sentiment reflects the emotional burden faced by correctional officers who often find themselves responding first to crises within the institution.
Persistent challenges at the Edmonton Institution have been corroborated by past reports detailing conditions characterized by fear and trauma. One 2017 report depicted the prison environment as operating under “a culture of fear,” where numerous allegations of sexual assault among staff had emerged. These conditions raise serious questions about the institution's ability to rehabilitate rather than simply confine.
Dozens of officers report facing mental health challenges, with studies indicating approximately 54% of correctional officers are diagnosed with mental health injuries within their first five years. With many officers off work due to mental health issues, Bloomfield asserted the dire need for more comprehensive support, emphasizing, “we’ve had this issue for a large number of years. We’re still far behind.”
Another pressing issue facing Edmonton Institution is the introduction of drugs, often entering through innovative smuggling methods such as drones. Bloomfield cited this as “the biggest problem we have right now,” with the influx contributing to increased violence and drug-related incidents within the facility.
Calls for reform within the oil and gas-rich province have grown louder over the years, particularly emphasizing the need for enhancements to rehabilitation programs and improved job training for inmates. Despite recommendations from the OCI, many systemic issues remain unresolved, leading to calls for greater oversight of correctional policies and reformed approaches to inmate welfare.
These twin deaths at Edmonton Institution have shed light not only on the immediate need for reform but also on the cumulative toll on both staff and prisoners, underscoring the urgency of addressing the root causes of violence and distress within the institution. The troubling state of these facilities suggests significant changes must be made to prevent tragic occurrences and improve the lives of those confined within the walls of Canada’s maximum-security prisons.
With the investigations continuing amid these disturbing circumstances, the demand for accountability and reform rings clear. Both correctional officers and inmates deserve conditions conducive to safety, mental health, and rehabilitation, rather than enduring the damages wrought by neglect and systemic failures.