Yusuf Faqiri has been on a quest for justice for his brother Soleiman, who died in 2016 while in custody at a prison in Eastern Ontario. Soleiman, who was 30 years old and living with schizophrenia, was taken into custody after allegedly stabbing a neighbor during a psychotic episode. While awaiting a mental health assessment, he tragically died on the floor of his prison cell.
According to reports, Soleiman was subjected to a brutal treatment that included being punched, struck, pepper-sprayed, shackled, and placed in a spit hood. A coroner's inquest convened two years later ruled his death a homicide, highlighting the severe conditions under which he died.
In the wake of these events, Yusuf Faqiri has been vocal about the neglect and lack of accountability from the system responsible for his brother's care. "Imagine being able to cry your guts out and repeat how your brother was beaten to death, and the very people or system that oversaw his care and custody are still denying responsibility," Faqiri lamented. He expressed frustration that none of the recommendations made following the inquest have been implemented by the Ontario government.
A Growing Crisis
Support for Yusuf Faqiri’s cause comes from NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, who emphasizes that the circumstances surrounding Soleiman's death reflect a larger crisis in Ontario’s correctional facilities. Wong-Tam pointed out, "The Premier is ignoring what is very obvious; there is a pattern in Ontario jails. Every institution is overcrowded and understaffed." The conditions have led to vulnerable individuals, particularly those with serious mental health issues, being placed in extended solitary confinement due to lack of proper staff and resources.
In response to this increasing concern, the Ministry of the Solicitor General has claimed to have established a new health services division aimed at addressing mental health and addiction issues among inmates. However, Premier Doug Ford’s remarks have been criticized as “tone-deaf.” When discussing strategies to improve the situation, Ford stated that his government is dedicated to building more state-of-the-art correctional facilities, emphasizing that individuals should "stay out of the jails" to avoid legal trouble.
The Faqiri family is disheartened by the Premier's comments, asserting that incarcerated individuals are often in need of help rather than punishment. "These people didn’t choose to go to jail. They need help. They were sick," Faqiri stressed. He expressed a willingness to collaborate with the government but warned that if the administration continues to sidestep the issues, families like his will not back down from fighting for justice and systemic reform.
Yusuf Faqiri aims to ensure that his brother's legacy is not solely tied to his tragic demise but reflects a broader call to action for accountability and reform in Ontario’s correctional system. He has pledged to continue the fight for justice and systemic change that prioritizes the health and safety of inmates with mental health issues.
