A B.C. man says his son was in a 鈥渇ragmented鈥� state of mind just days before he hanged himself in a solitary confinement cell at a medium-security prison.

Robert Roy told a B.C. Supreme Court trial focused on alleged infringements of segregated inmates鈥� rights that he was distressed to learn his son wanted to be transferred to a maximum-security facility.

Thirty-seven-year-old Christopher Roy used a ligature when he died of suicide at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford in June 2015.

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The B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the John Howard Society of Canada have launched a constitutional challenge of the country鈥檚 solitary confinement regime, which they say constitutes cruel and inhumane treatment.

The groups say mentally ill and Aboriginal prisoners are placed in segregation for longer periods of time, sometimes for years, worsening their physical and psychological conditions.

A lawyer representing the federal government has said Canada鈥檚 solitary confinement policies uphold inmates鈥� charter rights.

The Canadian Press

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