The Niagara Detention Centre (NDC) experienced record-high overcrowding levels in the first half of 2025, reaching a 136% occupancy rate, as per data analyzed by CBC News. Information obtained through freedom of information requests to Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General revealed details on jail populations and lockdowns at 24 provincial institutions between January 2019 and July 2025.
In 2019, the NDC had an average of 215 prisoners, resulting in a 97% occupancy rate. By the first six months of 2025, the average population rose to 302 prisoners, indicating a 40% increase compared to 2019, despite the facility having 240 operational beds.
Angela Case, whose 22-year-old son Jordan Case passed away in the NDC in 2018, expressed concern over the overcrowding issue at the facility. She highlighted the inadequate conditions, including thin mattresses and limited space, which were evident even prior to 2019.
Dave Haine, the union president representing NDC correctional workers, emphasized the challenges faced by staff due to overcrowding. He likened the situation to a game of Tetris, with correctional officers constantly rearranging inmates to accommodate the operational bed capacity. The lack of additional resources to support increasing programming demands has led to significant staff burnout.
In 2024, 89% of NDC inmates were on remand, awaiting trial and presumed innocent. Jordan Case, like many others, struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues while in pre-trial detention. With Ontario’s focus on “jail not bail” reforms, there has been a rise in the number of detainees at the NDC.
In response to the overcrowding, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner announced a $180 million investment to expand three Ontario jails, including the NDC. The project aims to add 50 additional beds and enhance programming spaces. However, critics argue that this expansion fails to address the underlying overcrowding issues effectively.
Statistics Canada reports that the average daily cost of Ontario’s correctional services in 2023 and 2024 was $357 per inmate, amounting to approximately $130,305 annually. Advocates like Justin Piché advocate for alternatives to incarceration, such as permanent supportive housing, which offers comprehensive services for mental health, drug addiction, and employment support at a fraction of the cost.
The move to expand jail capacity in response to overcrowding has sparked debates on the effectiveness of incarceration as a solution to societal issues, with calls for greater investment in long-term preventive measures like supportive housing.