The government of Ontario has announced plans to invest more than $180 million to increase capacity at correctional facilities across the province.
One of those facilities, the government announced this week, will be Thorold’s Niagara Detention Centre. It will expand by 50 spaces, part of an overall announcement of 150 new spaces across three facilities, the other two facilities being in Milton and Sudbury.
Bird Construction Incorporated was awarded a contract by the Ford government to design and build the expansion, which will be modular, with construction slated to begin next year.
The company has experience building modular expansions to correctional facilities, having previously been hired by the province to add to correctional facilities in Kenora and Thunder Bay.
In addition to new beds, the expansion will mean enhanced rehabilitation programs, including literacy, job skills, and technology training.
The provincial government began its expansion of correctional facilities in 2024, with the addition of 110 new beds province wide. By the end of next year, that number is expected to climb to 665.
“Our government is taking decisive action to protect Ontario and keep dangerous and repeat offenders off our streets,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “By expanding correctional facilities and bringing new beds online faster, we are strengthening our ability to hold criminals accountable and ensure that inmates serve their sentences in secure, modern spaces.”
Local MPP Sam Oosterhoff weighed in on the government’s plans as well.
“This significant investment in public safety – including plans to increase correctional capacity at the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold – is another example of how our government is protecting communities and protecting Ontario.”
“This expansion will help improve public safety in Niagara and provide frontline correctional staff with a safe, secure and modern workplace.”
Provincial jail facilities hold those accused of a crime but not yet convicted, as well as those who have been convicted but are serving a sentence of less than two years. Those convicted with longer sentences are in federal prisons.
The announcement from Kerzner comes in the wake of the provincial ombudsman raising concerns about a “crisis” in Ontario’s detention facilities with many operating at more than 150 per cent capacity.
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
