Dead inmate’s family wants independent probe into incident with guards

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This article was published 15/02/2021 (1312 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The family of a Headingley Correctional Institution inmate, who died a week after an undisclosed incident involving guards, has called for an independent investigation into his death.

William Walter Ahmo, 45, died on Sunday. The RCMP is investigating the circumstances that led to Ahmo being injured, and an autopsy was to be performed Tuesday.

Under such circumstances, it is mandatory for the medical examiner to call an inquest. Ahmo’s son, sister and mother, in statements released Tuesday, demanded the investigation into his death be conducted by an independent body and not the RCMP, Winnipeg police or the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba.

“Please deliver justice for my dad,” said son Emory Ahmo.

“Despite the prejudice and racism he experienced from Canada’s law enforcement, corrections personnel and people in his daily interactions, he still found beauty and had faith in (the) Creator till his last breath. I will miss my dad greatly.

“I only hope and pray that Canada and the law will deliver justice to those who are responsible for his passing.”

Ahmo, who was a member of the Sagkeeng First Nation, was in custody at the provincial jail after being charged with aggravated assault and two counts of robbery with an imitation weapon on Dec. 18. He was scheduled to appear in court Feb. 22.

The family’s statement, issued by lawyer Corey Shefman, said they have heard “disturbing reports about the behaviour of correctional officers prior to his death.

“Will told us that the correctional officers treated him and other inmates as less than human, that they did not wear personal protective equipment, like masks, to protect inmates from COVID-19, and that he was concerned that something might happen to him.”

“We will fight to make sure the truth comes out. We will fight to ensure that the guards who did this to Will, and the ones who failed to protect him, are held accountable for their actions and inactions, and we will fight to make sure that no other family has to go through what we are now going through.”

Dara Ahmo, William’s sister, said her hope “is that this never happens to anyone again in any institution.”

“Nobody deserves this kind of treatment. Please demand justice for my brother, our people,” she said. “We can’t allow this to be hidden underneath the covers this time.

“These inmates are no less human than we are and deserve to be treated with dignity.”

William’s mother, Darlene, said she will “miss his big smile.”

“My son had good in him, he loved his son, and he didn’t deserve to die this way… I loved my son with my whole heart.”

Shefman said Ahmo’s family wasn’t prepared to talk to the media beyond their comments in the prepared statement.

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs Organization said he was “deeply saddened and angered” about the incident.

“Here we are, starting another week looking into how one (of) our citizens has been taken from us while in the supposed care of colonial systems… There is absolutely no time to waste in this matter and we will spare no avenue that leads to answers and true justice.

“Make no mistake: everyone from the staff at (the jail) to those providing care at (Health Sciences Centre) must provide clarity and be held accountable.”

A spokeswoman for Manitoba Justice said it “recognizes the seriousness of any death in custody and will be conducting an internal review of this incident.

“The death has been reported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as is required by law. We offer our condolences to the family of this individual.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca