How Ontario kept a man in isolation for 20+ years – A Podcast Interview with Toronto Star reporter Jacques Gallant about his Seclusion Series (Sept 21 2026)

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Anita Szigeti

The Big Story

Jacques Gallant‘s commitment to exploring the issue of long-term seclusion at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is extraordinary.

In this podcast he discusses some of the material he reviewed to inform himself and efforts he’s made to reach out to get all perspectives. It’s an inside look at the process of genuine investigative journalism.

If you’re interested in this (ongoing) series, you may want to listen – it’s less than a half hour.

How Ontario kept a man in isolation for 20+ years – The Big Story (B2)

Description on the webpage of FlexiLingo Podcast / The Big Story Sept 21 2026

“Camelott Hamblett is a 43-year-old Canadian man who’s spent the last 20 years in isolation at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene, Ont. His family has been advocating for the Ontario Review Board to reconsider his stay in isolation, as they believe it’s not helping improve his quality of life. It’s a similar case for 39 year-old Andrew Azevedo, who’s spent the last five years in isolation as he lives with schizophrenia. Host Maria Kestane speaks with Jacques Gallant, courts and legal affairs reporter for the Toronto Star to discuss his four-part investigative series ’20 Years in Isolation”.”

Other places on my blog to find all the articles in the Star’s Seclusion series are here:

Jacques Gallant and the Toronto Star’s Four Part Series “20 Years in Isolation” Examining Long-Term Seclusion at Waypoint – April 23 – 28, 2026 and Twelve Follow-up Pieces (So Far) Apr 29 – September 24, 2026 + One Opinion Piece (June 4, 2026)

And here:

Toronto Star Investigative Series on Waypoint’s Long-Term Seclusion Cases continues – Andrea Monteiro’s Assessment Report regarding Andrew Azevedo and the Ministry of Health’s “Investigation” of Waypoint
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About Anita Szigeti

• Called to the Bar (1992) • U of T Law grad (1990) • Sole practitioner (33 years) • Partner in small law firm (Hiltz Szigeti) 2002 - 2013 • Mom to two astonishing kids, Scarlett (20+) and Sebastian (20-) • (Founding) Chair of Mental Health Legal Committee for ten years (1997 to 2007) * Founding President of Law and Mental Disorder Association - LAMDA since 2017 * Founder and Secretary to Women in Canadian Criminal Defence - WiCCD - since 2022 • Counsel to clients with serious mental health issues before administrative tribunals and on appeals • Former Chair, current member of LAO’s mental health law advisory committee • Educator, lecturer, widely published author (including 5 text books on consent and capacity law, Canadian civil mental health law, the criminal law of mental disorder, a law school casebook and a massive Anthology on all things mental health and the law) • Thirty+ years’ experience as counsel to almost exclusively legally aided clients • Frequently appointed amicus curiae • Fearless advocate • Not entirely humourless
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1 Response to How Ontario kept a man in isolation for 20+ years – A Podcast Interview with Toronto Star reporter Jacques Gallant about his Seclusion Series (Sept 21 2026)

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