Hiring More Staff and Updating Infrastructure Will Improve Safety

The Ontario government is investing more than $500 million over five years to transform correctional facilities across the province. This funding will help ensure the safety and security of frontline staff.

This major investment will support the hiring of more than 500 new staff to help address challenges within the correctional system such as mental health and addiction issues. The additional funding will also be used to modernize outdated infrastructure to address overcrowding and to improve services.

“Our government heard from corrections staff across the province about the challenges they face each and every day,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “These investments will create a better, safer environment for our hard-working frontline staff and will help strengthen Ontario’s corrections system.”

Hiring additional staff will also help ensure the government is complying with its obligations regarding the use of segregation within correctional facilities. The modernization of outdated infrastructure, including building additional day rooms and making modifications to yard space, will allow the province to provide more effective programming space.

“We have been clear in our support for corrections staff and we are determined to continue providing needed resources to these men and women who are always there when they are needed most,” said Solicitor General Jones.

Recent government action to support correctional staff includes:

• Stepping up measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario’s correctional system
• A redesigned training program for corrections officers
• Improving health care delivery in the correctional system