Province investigating Don Jail homicide

Almost no details have been released but the province says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Toronto's first homicide of 2010.

"Independent of the current police and coroner's investigations, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is also investigating the incident," the ministry said in a news release. 

"Our ministry has a committee that is constantly reviewing security and safety measures [in Ontario correctional facilities] and if it is determined that there needs to be changes, those are closely looked at," the statement said.

On Saturday, correctional staff located a man with "obvious signs of trauma" at Toronto's Don Jail, said a statement from Toronto police. Kevon Phillip, 24, was taken to hospital, where he died later Saturday. 

No other details about Phillip's death have been released.  No arrests have been made and police have not said why they believe they are investigating a homicide.

The death, the city's first homicide of the year, comes two months after the killing of 32-year-old inmate Jeff Munro — also at the Don Jail.

Three men have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his beating death on Nov. 6.

The province says it has installed and upgraded 60 cameras inside the jail for prisoner security.

"We have cameras in all parts of our facilities, except inmate living areas as these are directly monitored by correctional staff who conduct regular patrols," the ministry's news release said.

"Safety and security in our jails is something the ministry takes very seriously. We don't wait for incidents to happen before taking action.  Safety and security is something that is under constant review."

The Don Jail, located near Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East, usually holds prisoners awaiting trial or sentencing.