Ontario is set to embark on a significant expansion of its prison system in the coming decades, as reported by The Canadian Press. The province has been grappling with severe overcrowding in its jails for years, prompting plans to add nearly 6,000 new beds by 2050. Documents obtained by University of Ottawa researchers through freedom-of-information laws reveal that the expansion will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase already in progress, according to a transition binder prepared for Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
The current state of Ontario’s jails is dire, with around 2,000 more inmates than available beds, equivalent to the capacity of five large jails. The Ministry attributes the overcrowding to various factors, including court backlogs, longer incarceration periods, bail reform, and population growth. To address these challenges, the province aims to construct 1,170 new beds by 2032 at a cost of $4 billion, with $2.9 billion funding already secured.
The expansion initiative includes projects such as the ongoing $1.2 billion Thunder Bay Correctional Complex construction and the refurbishment or construction of facilities in Brockville, Kemptville, Napanee, Niagara, Milton, and Sudbury. Despite these efforts, the documents indicate that an additional 3,500-4,500 beds will still be needed in the next decade.
Subsequent phases of the plan will see the creation of an estimated 1,500 beds across six sites between 2033 and 2041, followed by the construction of another 2,000-3,000 beds between 2040 and 2050. Solicitor General Kerzner emphasized the province’s commitment to expanding modular jail builds to accommodate more inmates and hinted at the potential reopening of jails in Brantford and Walkerton.
Researcher Mackenzie Plumb, who obtained the transition binder, expressed astonishment at the unprecedented scale of the planned capacity increase, noting the significant financial implications. The projected cost of building 6,000 new beds is estimated at $7 billion, with operational expenses expected to surge to over $2 billion annually.
Critics, including members of the Coalition Against Proposed Prisons, have raised concerns about the escalating costs and efficacy of prison expansion, advocating for alternative approaches to enhancing community well-being and safety. The lack of transparency surrounding the province’s jail expansion plans has also drawn scrutiny from local residents and advocacy groups.
Overcrowding in Ontario’s jails has been a persistent issue, with data indicating that facilities were operating at 113% capacity in September 2023. Efforts to alleviate overcrowding have been promised by Premier Doug Ford, who pledged to build more jails in response to the rising inmate population. However, concerns persist regarding the detrimental impact on both inmates and corrections staff, with reports of triple bunking, increased assaults, and delays in bail hearings exacerbating the challenges faced by the prison system. Recent data from Global News highlights the escalating strain on Ontario’s jails, with facilities now operating at 130% capacity, underscoring the urgency of addressing the overcrowding crisis.