Latest news with #LoriClifford
CTV News
12-06-2025
- CTV News
Windsor inquest jury sequestered to consider recommendations in jail overdose death
Joseph Gratton, 31, died on October 30, 2019 from a fentanyl overdose while incarcerated at the South West Detention Centre. (Courtesy: Lori Clifford)
CTV News
10-06-2025
- CTV News
Inmate denied withdrawal medication nine days before overdose death at South West Detention Centre
First day of an inquest into the death of inmate Joseph Gratton at South West Detention Centre. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has details. An inquest continues into the death of Joseph Gratton, 31, who died of a fentanyl overdose in October 2019 while incarcerated. The inquest jury learned Monday Gratton and his cellmate snorted the drug in their cell. Both were found unresponsive by corrections officers. They took turns performing CPR on Gratton and administered three doses of naloxone – a medication that reverses the effects of an overdose. Gratton was pronounced dead in hospital. His cellmate survived. Gratton memorial A memorial was placed at the edge of the South West Detention Centre by Lori Clifford, mother of Joseph Gratton who died from a drug overdose while in jail. (Source: Lori Clifford) Inmate requested suboxone The jury learned Tuesday Gratton was transferred from Niagara to SWDC on Sept. 29, 2019. He requested a urine test on Oct. 5 and then again two days later. 'Requesting a urine test for heroin in my system. I need to get suboxone. I'm withdrawing,' Gratton wrote on a healthcare request form. 'Been asking for almost a week since I got shipped back.' Healthcare staff ordered the test on Oct. 8, but he wasn't seen by the jails registered nurse practioner until Oct. 21. Julie Macvoy walked the jury through her notes of that appointment Tuesday. She noted Gratton's urine test came back negative for opiates, he did not exhibit any physical signs of withdrawal, and his chart does not include a diagnosis of opiate use disorder. However, Gratton requested suboxone; a drug that 'reduces cravings and minimizes withdrawal' symptoms, according to Macvoy. Gratton, she noted, admitted to using 'contraband' while at the Niagara Detention Centre but didn't admit to any usage at SWDC. It was Gratton's history, she told the jury, that ultimately lead her to deem the inmate 'ineligible' for a suboxone prescription. 'Mr. Gratton had a significant history of diverting medication,' she told the jury. 'He was known to do that.' The jury learned Gratton had a prescription for Wellbutrin – a depression medication – which Macvoy says the inmate had diverted the medication. Macvoy explained many inmates had 'creative' ways of taking medications but not swallowing them. She believed Gratton might have 'hoarded' the medication as a 'currency' in the jail. 'Prescribing (suboxone) without a diagnosis comes with medical risks as well,' Macvoy said. Re-assessment 'frowned upon' Macvoy testified in direct examination that it was 'frowned upon' to do full re-assessment or drug screen on inmates after their initial admission is completed. 'We don't do that in corrections,' Macvoy recalls being told when she worked in the jail, but she couldn't say who made the comment. Macvoy said diagnosis of any conditions or issues are only made at admission and not after transfer between facilities. Craig Allen, a lawyer for Gratton's mother Lori Clifford, asked Macvoy why she didn't call the Niagara facility to inquire about the previous drug use, why she didn't take into account reported drug use to a jail psychologist and why she felt suboxone could be 'diverted' when its typically administered in front of a jail guard. ''I believed my assessment was sound enough,' she replied. 'I could not make a diagnosis of opiate use disorder.' Allen also had Macvoy agree the urinalysis was 'too late' to indicate any 'recent drug use'. Gratton autopsy In the postmortem exam done on Gratton one day after he died, the toxicology report indicated he died from 'fentanyl toxicity'. The examiner also found a baggie of drugs hidden in his rectum. Gratton also had naloxone in his bloodstream. The jury has learned corrections officers administered the spray three times to stop the drug overdose. 'I can't be certain suboxone would have changed the outcome,' Macvoy concluded.
CTV News
10-06-2025
- CTV News
Inquest begins today into death of Windsor man at South West Detention Centre
First day of an inquest into the death of inmate Joseph Gratton at South West Detention Centre. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has details. First day of an inquest into the death of inmate Joseph Gratton at South West Detention Centre. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has details. A coroner's inquest is underway into the death of a 31-year-old man who died in custody at Windsor's South West Detention Centre in 2019. Joseph Gratton died on Oct. 30, 2019. His death is subject to a mandatory inquest under Ontario's Coroners Act, which requires one be held when a person dies while detained. The inquest, which began Monday morning and is expected to last five days, is being conducted by video conference. Dr. Richard Wells is presiding over the proceedings, with Julian Roy serving as inquest co-counsel. About five witnesses are expected to testify. Shortly after the inquest began, Roy acknowledged Gratton's mother, Lori Clifford, while expressing condolences and thanking her for participating in the process. 'Losing a family member before their time is a tragedy that is felt in unique and terrible ways,' Roy said. 'It's made worse in this case because Joseph was in a provincial correctional facility where you trusted he was safe in a difficult time in his life, and that faith you had in that system, that he would be safe there and in us was broken when he died.' He continued, 'I know that our process here cannot help you with your grief of losing your precious son and this is going to be a very difficult week for you to hear, but I hope you will get some answers about what happened, and this will help you in some measure with your healing.' The jury heard on the opening day that Jospeh Gratton died from fentanyl toxicity, according to autopsy results. A toxicology report that was entered as evidence revealed Gratton had 22 nanograms of fentanyl inside his system. The inquest is examining the circumstances that led to his death, including testimony that both Gratton and his cellmate, Blake Carter, were found in medical distress inside their cell by correctional officers. Carter survived the incident but has since died, the inquest heard. The first witness called was corrections officer Staff Sgt. Peter Spourdalakis, who oversaw operations for several units at the South West Detention Centre. While he had no direct issues with Gratton, he testified that Carter had a history of breaking facility rules and being caught with contraband. Jurors were also shown video evidence from inside the facility. One clip shows corrections officer Chris Rogers kicking on the door of Gratton and Carter's cell during an evening shift security check and shortly later returning when a commotion begins. The proceeding heard that Rogers, who was working an overtime shift, informed her supervisor she had previously experienced conflict with Gratton. Rogers is expected to testify on Tuesday. The jury also reviewed how staff responded once the medical emergency became apparent. In hindsight, Spourdalakis told the jury he would have had the sliding jail cell doors open differently and expressed interest in seeing additional security cameras installed throughout the facility. He noted since Gratton's death, there have been more unannounced K-9 searches that have proven effective at keeping contraband materials out of the corrections facility. The inquest may result in a series of recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future. Members of the public can view the proceedings live online. CTV News Windsor will provide updates as the inquest continues throughout the week.
