For the fourth time this year, an inmate at London’s embattled provincial jail has died.

“An inmate was found in medical distress at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre on Saturday night. Paramedics were called and the inmate was subsequently pronounced deceased,” Andrew Morrison, spokesperson for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, said in an emailed statement.

“It would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment further, as a number of investigations are under way.”

London police confirmed Monday they were called to the provincial jail Saturday to help investigate a death.

“We are assisting the coroner with the investigation of a death and foul play is not suspected,” said Const. Sandasha Bough, a police spokesperson.

The name of the inmate and cause of death were not released.

Knowing few details, inmates’ advocate and London lawyer Kevin Egan said it was too early to draw any conclusions.

But given the problems that have plagued EMDC during the past 10 years — understaffing, overcrowding, the influx of inmates with mental health issues and a design that prevents constant monitoring — Egan said it’s clear whatever the province is trying isn’t working.

“It certainly belies the Ministry comments that they are trying to improve things when yet another person dies,” he said.

Egan, who represents hundreds of inmates and former inmates in legal action over conditions at EMDC, re-iterated a call for wholesale change he’s been making for years.

“Ideally, they raze EMDC and start all over again,” Egan said.

A former inmate told The Free Press it shouldn’t be easy to harm yourself at EMDC.

“If they are being properly monitored, it wouldn’t happen,” he said.

Although EMDC has closed circuit cameras on the ranges, those cameras aren’t monitored in real time, and are used to see what happened after the fact.

The death Saturday brings the total to 11 in eight years at EMDC.

In the summer, three inmates died, two of suspected overdoses and one of suicide.

In the cases of suspected overdoses, the cause of death has not been determined.

As usual, the recent death has launched investigations by the Ontario’s coroner’s office and the ministry itself.

“The ministry conducts an internal investigation to determine whether all ministry policies and procedures were followed with respect to the care and custody of the deceased,” Morrison said.

A coroner’s inquest is automatic for a death in custody that is not considered natural.

rrichmond@postmedia.com

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The numbers

EMDC deaths since 2009

Homicide: two

Natural: two

Suicide: two

Overdose or suspected overdose: four

Unknown cause: one