Jails in the northern region of Ontario are experiencing severe overcrowding issues, surpassing the provincial average, with significant population spikes noted since 2019. Concerns have been raised by frontline workers and inmates about the escalating safety risks within these facilities.
Data obtained from the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General through freedom of information requests, covering the period from January 1, 2019, to July 1, 2025, reveals the strain on jail populations and operational capacities. The most recent data from January to June 2025 highlights the following average occupancy rates for northern Ontario jails:
– Algoma Treatment and Remand Complex = 145%
– Sudbury Jail = 141%
– Kenora Jail = 130%
– North Bay Jail = 130%
– Thunder Bay Jail = 120%
– Thunder Bay Correctional Centre = 107%
– Monteith Correctional Complex = 96%
In response to inquiries, the Ministry of the Solicitor General emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the issue by investing in infrastructure upgrades and expanding capacity at correctional facilities to enhance public safety. Notably, a new facility in Kenora has been constructed, and expansions in Thunder Bay have added 50 new beds in the northern region. Further construction projects are underway to introduce an additional 150 beds through modular buildings in Sudbury, Milton, and the Niagara region.
The Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, a small mixed-gender facility, has witnessed a surge in overcrowding, forcing around 40 individuals to sleep on the floor regularly. Correctional officer Josh Miller highlighted the challenges posed by the overcrowding, affecting daily operations and services provided to inmates.
Similarly, other jails across northeastern and northwestern Ontario, including Sudbury, North Bay, Monteith, Kenora, Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, and Thunder Bay District Jail, report significant increases in inmate populations, leading to overcrowding and operational strains. Correctional officers and union representatives in these facilities have expressed concerns about the escalating violence, mental health issues, and inadequate resources to handle the growing demands effectively.
Efforts are underway to address the overcrowding crisis, with ongoing construction projects aimed at expanding capacity and improving conditions within the region’s correctional facilities. However, challenges persist, and the need for sustained investments and infrastructure upgrades to alleviate overcrowding and enhance the well-being of both inmates and staff remains a priority.