Family 'grief stricken' after HWDC inmate dies of yet another suspected overdose

Another inmate has died at the Hamilton-WentworthDetention Centre (HWDC), just months after a marathon inquest into eight overdose deaths at the Barton Street jail.

Christopher John Sharpdied of a suspected drug overdose around 2 p.m. Friday.

• 'Lots of drugs' in Hamilton Barton Street jail, former inmate testifies at inquest

The 53-year-old was originally from London, Ont. His mother, Carol, said she is remembering him as a man who loved animals and his family, not the inmate whose strugglewith drug addiction led todecades bouncingin and out of jail.

"We're very sad," she said. "That knock on the door late at night ....is the one we have dreaded for many years. We knew it was coming but you'renever ready."

My only consolation [is] he is free now [and] at peace.- Carol Sharp, Johnny's mother

Family memberswere contacted by officials hours after Sharp's death and are trying to come to grips with their loss, according to KevinEgan, a lawyer with McKenzie Lake LLP.

"They're grief stricken," he said."I think to an extent they're not totally surprised that Johnny has passed away but they're surprised he passed away in a provincial detention centre where he was supposed to be supervised and cared for."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional services confirmed an inmate died at the detention centre on Friday, but declined to say more as the death is still under investigation.

A sweet, mischievousboy

Carol, Sharp's mother, said family and friends called her boy Johnny.

He was a sweet, funny childwith a mischievous streak. He loved sports, including karate and was an excellent artist who designed and inked tattoos.

But that was before 30 years in and out of jails and prisons introduced him to drugs and addiction.

During his "horrible, sad life" Sharpsuffered attacks and abuse behind bars, his mother added.

"My only consolation [is] he is free now [and] at peace."

62 recommendationsafter inquest

Sharp's death comes after a massive inquest into eight overdose deaths at the jail. After six weeks of testimony, the jury made 62 recommendations on May 19, including several aimed directly at curbing drug use and overdoses.

• Jury makes 62 recommendations in Hamilton jail death inquest

Those suggestions ranged fromrequiring stafftracksuspected overdose deaths to a recommendation that guards be equipped with naloxone and keepdetailed recordsof whenthey administer it.

The ministry has six months to respond.

Inquests have also been announced into the deaths of two other HWDC inmatesBrennan Bowley andRyan McKechnie.