Yukon Supreme Court heard on Monday about the protocols that had to be put in place at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC) to deal with inmate Michael Nehass’ behaviour.

Geoffrey Wooding is the former deputy superintendent of operations at WCC. He testified about the 32-year-old man’s violent behaviour toward inmates and staff and his propensity for destroying furniture that led to the specific measures.

On one occasion, Nehass tore apart a phone from the solitary confinement unit and used it to smash 28 windows.

He also broke five TVs and a laptop, Wooding testified.

When Nehass was permitted outside of his cell, protocols called for three staffers to be there.

He was even fully shackled while taking showers for a period of time, before the jail staff decided to free one of his hands so he could wash himself.

Wooding noted that the protocol could be lessened or heightened depending on the man’s behaviour.

“(Nehass is) one of the most challenging inmates I’ve experienced in over 30 years,” he told the court.

Crown prosecutor Eric Marcoux called Wooding as a witness in the application Nehass filed, arguing his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were breached.

The application alleges that prolonged delays and poor treatment at the jail constitute a breach of his Charter rights.

As a remedy, Nehass is seeking to be released from jail and that his May 2015 conviction be stayed.

Inmates at WCC can be sent to the solitary confinement unit as a sentence for disciplinary charges they have been found guilty of.

But it had become apparent that those charges had no effect on Nehass’ behaviour, Wooding testified.

“Efforts to keep him in a regular unit failed every time,” he said.

Wooding was also tasked with reviewing the use of force in the January 2014 incident that saw Nehass brought naked to court by jail guards in full riot gear.

He concluded staff that day didn’t commit any wrongdoing in their use of force.

Nehass refused to wear clothes, he testified.

“What are you going to do, take me to court naked?” Nehass asked the officers, Wooding testified.

Correctional officers did put a towel on his buttocks, he said, and his privates were always covered.

The incident is cited in the Charter application as one of the example of poor treatment Nehass alleges he suffered at the jail.

Videos of the incident were previously shown to the court.

The Charter application started in early February. It was adjourned to this week so the defence could contact a number of witnesses.

A psychologist testified for the defence about Nehass’ traumatic upbringing.

Nehass himself took the stand.

Last May, Nehass was convicted of forcibly confining a woman, holding a knife to her throat and breaching his probation.

Sentencing has been put on hold while the judge hears the Charter application.

An assessment to determine whether Nehass fits the criteria for a dangerous offender designation has been ordered.

Depending on its results, the Crown can decide to seek the designation that could see Nehass imprisoned indefinitely unless the National Parole Board would deem him not to be a safety threat to the public.

Wooding’s cross-examination continues all day today.

Both the Crown and defence told the judge they have several witnesses they intend to call to testify this week.