Ongoing Crisis in Corrections Threatens the Safety of Ontario Families

QUEEN’S PARK – The poor quality of Ontario’s jails and their persistent lockdowns are leading to convicted offenders regularly receiving extra credit and shortened sentences.

Hundreds of labour-related lockdowns at jails across the province have resulted in at least five different reduced sentences. In one case, a convicted offender had his sentence for firearms offences shortened by three months because of the conditions he was forced to endure at the Toronto South Detention Centre. 

“Repeatedly in this House, we have warned this government that there is a crisis in corrections endangering the safety of the inmates and the officers who work there,” said Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown during Question Period. “Because of this government’s negligence, that crisis has moved into our communities threatening the safety of Ontario families.”

This past December, Opposition Leader Patrick Brown toured the Thunder Bay District Jail, after which he invited the Premier to do the same and see first-hand the appalling conditions of the aged jail infrastructure. During Question Period Brown once again extended an invitation to the Premier to take action and tour a facility.

“This crisis in corrections is only going to continue to escalate. Today criminals are getting shorter sentences. Tomorrow we could see judges granting bail to people who are a danger to the public because of the appalling conditions in Ontario jails,” added Brown. “

“Will the Premier tell Ontario families why she’s giving criminals a ‘get out of jail free card’?”