Richard Canada, affectionately known as Bucky to his fellow prisoners, spent the last moments of his life handcuffed to a wheelchair in a holding cell at Westville Correctional Facility. Canada was well-known at Westville for his boisterous personality, and his refreshingly obnoxious sense of humor. He was also known for his addiction to synthetic cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as Spice, katy, or tune descended on the Indiana prison system with the same virulence as COVID, inundating a prison system already saturated with drugs. This new breed of synthetic cannabinoid is frequently laced with dangerous opioids, such as fentanyl. The deadly concoction has fueled countless deaths, overdoses, and a crippling wave of addiction.
Blinded by the primary motives of economic exploitation and coordinated oppression, the Indiana Department of Corrections remains ill-equipped to meet this new threat. Canada had triumphed over his addiction in the months preceding his death. With his mind unclouded by Spice, his personality shined even brighter. He was reaching the end of his prison sentence and frequently spoke of the beautiful life he was excited to be returning home to. For months he successfully maintained his sobriety, until his transfer to the Westville General Services Complex, GSC. GSC is known to be lawless, violent, and drug-ridden. It is frequently weaponized against inmates as a form of coercion and punishment. Those who vex the administration are transferred to GSC where rehabilitative opportunities are sparse, and negative influences are rampant.
On the final day of his life, surrounded by temptations, Canada succumbed, purchasing and smoking a stick of Spice. He was assisted to his bed area by other inmates, where he remained quietly in a Spice-induced stupor. According to the witnesses, the officer assigned to 6 Center noticed Canada’s lethargic state and reported it to the Sgt. Brazil, who immediately responded with GSC’s tune squad. The Indiana Department of Corrections has at its disposal millions of dollars specifically allocated by the Indiana legislature for drug abuse treatment under Indiana Code 11-8-2-11. Despite the availability of these funds and the intensity of the synthetic drug epidemic, Westville made no move to meaningfully increase substance abuse treatment. Instead, the administration formed and mobilized tune squads. Correctional officers with a propensity for violence and a reputation for excessive force were assigned to these squads and tasked as first responders for Spice overdoses.
Armed with tasers or OC spray and clad in black gloves with reinforced polymer knuckles, these squads would burst onto a unit, clear the wing of all inmates, citing safety and security concerns for clearing wings. The true motive was to eliminate potential witnesses to excessive force.
Inmates experiencing a Spice overdose, commonly referred to as “pranking out,” were routinely handcuffed and viciously assaulted. Those housed on upper floors unfortunate enough to provoke the higher up responding tune squads were “taken on flight,” a term used for throwing handcuffed inmates down a flight of stairs. It was one of these flights that brought Canada’s life to a tragic end. According to eyewitness reports, Sgt. Brazil responded 6 Center with GSC’s tune squad in tow. The squad was comprised of Lt. Crittenden, Correctional Officer Yosuf, Sgt. Diaz, Sgt. Brazil, and a yet to be identified caucasian correctional officer. They made a B-line to the bunk area, snatching a lethargic, but compliant, Canada from his bed and placing him in cuffs. He repeatedly asked why he was being taken as he was physically escorted to the stairwell by Officer Youssef and the other unidentified caucasian officer. At least one prisoner witnessed Canada as he was thrown down the flight of stairs where he struck his head on a jagged outcropping of broken tile. The impact resulted in massive head trauma. A frantic Sgt. Brazil burst back onto the unit asking for towels. Inmates readily surrendered their personal towels, believing they were necessary to render medical aid to Canada. After he was removed from the scene, they watched in dismay as their towels were used to mop up the victim’s blood in an attempt to conceal this crime scene.
Canada was eventually life-lined from the prison due to the extent of his injuries. In solidarity, inmates sprung into action, attempting to contact his family. The administration responded just as quickly, cutting off WiFi access to tablets and electronically blocking phone access to the entire General Services Complex. This communications blackout remained in effect for three to four days. It was later confirmed by the GSC complex director that the communications blackout was in direct response to inmates’ attempts to contact the Canada family and the media.
Westville’s Office of Investigation and Intelligence Division conducted a cursory investigation. All inmate witnesses were interviewed, yet the staff involved were not disciplined nor charged for Canada’s murder. Instead, some of the staff involved were reassigned to different posts. It is worthy of note that immediately prior to the homicide, Lt. Crittenden and Sgt. Brazil had been reassigned to GSC after assaulting a handcuffed inmate in the educational complex.
Bucky’s death is one of numerous unsolved homicides committed at Westville Correctional Facility. These homicides were not committed by prisoners with a perceived propensity for violence. These homicides and violent assaults are routinely committed by IDOC staff members, emboldened by a sadistic, us-against-them culture. Their victims are believed to be without value and voiceless. It is our duty to be a voice for the silenced, a lighthouse for those in darkness. Silence and inaction is acquiescence.
