Career criminal's sentence reduced over jail's 'harshest conditions'
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An Ontario Court of Justice judge castigated Toronto South Detention Centre for having “the harshest conditions” for any inmate as he reduced a sentence against a bizarre burglar on Tuesday.
“At the Toronto South Detention Centre, these are the harshest conditions any person could experience,” said Justice William Horkins as he gave Joshua Lenz a sentence of time served — approximately nine months plus one day, and 18 months probation.
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“Someone has made a conscious decision not to staff this remand centre,” said Horkins.
As a result of the staff shortages, the facility had 32 lockdown days or half-days, which worsens the experience for inmates as it results in the loss of yard time and keeps them locked in their cells.
Lenz stole a fire extinguisher from a Victoria Park Ave. and Crescent town-area apartment building on Dec. 18, 2018, sprayed it in a hallway and, after breaking into a woman’s home, sprayed her and her two young children while they slept, court heard.
“It would have been terrifying for them, although no one suffered a serious injury,” said Justice Horkins.
“The homeowner chased out Lenz, who departed.”
Lenz’s lawyer Nate Jackson agreed with the judge’s strong criticisms of the jail’s conditions and understaffing issues.
“I echo the judge’s comments as this is an ongoing staffing problem and a direct result of building a superjail without addressing the challenges of properly staffing it,” said Jackson.
“It’s disappointing. This has been an ongoing situation since 2016,” said Jackson.
Lenz, 33, pleaded guilty to being unlawfully in a dwelling and two counts of mischief.
The Edmonton-born-and raised career criminal has a 13-year record of predominantly minor offences but has a history of committing serious crimes, said Horkins.
He was ordered to serve 18 months probation and continue with counselling for his alcoholism and drug addiction issues. He has a 10-year weapons prohibition.
He was freed on bail in March 2019 after three months in custody.
He was re-incarcerated May 13 for breaching his bail conditions and remained in jail until Tuesday afternoon.
Lenz was attacked in prison last month but refused to implicate the culprit.
“He didn’t want to spill the beans” because of jail-house reprisals, said Jackson.
Lenz was accused of — but vehemently denied — bringing drugs into his cell, said Jackson.
Lenz, who moved to Toronto last year, has a Grade 10 education and worked on oil rigs and construction sites.
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