News Release

Ontario Taking Action to Reform Correctional System

Province Investing in New Jails in Thunder Bay and Ottawa, Modernizing Legislation
May 4, 2017 9:55 A.M.

Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Today, Ontario released the interim report from the Independent Advisor on Corrections
Reform, Howard Sapers, which examines the use of segregation in Ontario's adult correctional
facilities. The government thanks Mr. Sapers for his work, and will address all
recommendations contained in his report.

The recommendations provided by both Mr. Sapers' interim report and the Ombudsman will
support the government's ongoing work to reform Ontario's correctional system.

This work includes strong action the government has recently taken to change segregation
practices, as well as investments made to increase staff and mental health supports for those in
custody.

In addition, funding has been approved for the construction of a new 325-bed multi-purpose
correctional centre to replace the existing Thunder Bay Jail and Thunder Bay Correctional
Centre, as well as a new 725-bed multi-purpose correctional centre to replace the existing
Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre. This investment will help increase capacity and reduce
overcrowding at provincial institutions.

Building on this investment, Ontario will:

Work to transform healthcare services in correctional facilities, including exploring options to shift the oversight and
provision of healthcare services from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to the Ministry of Health and Long-
Term Care.

Introduce new legislation in fall 2017 to support corrections reform. This will be the first substantive review of existing
legislation since the 1990s and will include a legislative definition of segregation based on conditions of confinement and international
standards - not on a physical location within an institution.

Implement an enhanced model of independent oversight and governance of the adult corrections system, including
segregation. Increasing accountability and transparency is a central feature of the government's commitment to broader corrections
reform.
 Ontario is committed to safeguarding human rights and ensuring the safety of individuals
placed in the correctional system, while maintaining the security of provincial institutions for
both staff and inmates. To ensure these important reforms meet the needs of those in
provincial custody and that the safety of our institutions is maintained, the province will work
closely with frontline staff and managers, as well as partners across the justice, social services,
and healthcare sectors.

Reforming Ontario's correctional system is part of the government's plan to keep communities
safe and support rehabilitation and reintegration.

Quick Facts

The 2017 Ontario Budget includes a number of investments aimed at improving the provinces justice system, including
transforming corrections.

Before his appointment as independent advisor, Howard Sapers served as Canadas Correctional Investigator since Feb. 24,
2004. In that role, he provided independent oversight of the Correctional Service of Canada and served as an Ombudsman for
federally-sentenced offenders.

There are 26 adult correctional facilities in Ontario.

The report supports the ministrys current work to reform the use of segregation by:

reducing the number of people held in segregation, and the length of time individuals spend in segregation

building a system in which appropriate alternatives to segregation are more available for vulnerable inmates, such as
pregnant women and those with acute mental health issues, and ensuring that segregation is used only in rare circumstances

improving the conditions under which individuals are held when in segregation

improving oversight of inmate conditions.

Background Information

Corrections Reform

Additional Resources

Segregation in Ontarios Correctional Institutions

Ontarios Correctional System

Quotes
I want to thank Mr. Sapers for his thorough report. He has recognized, as I do, both the
challenges we face and the important work the ministry is undertaking to transform our
correctional system. The province accepts the findings of the report and will address each of its
recommendations. His report will help us as we continue our reform of Ontarios correctional
services.

Marie-France Lalonde
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

I am pleased with the ministrys clear commitment to change. The response sends a clear
message that the status quo is not acceptable and I look forward to working with the ministry
as my recommendations are implemented. The hard work starts now and will require the full
support and involvement of staff throughout the system.

Howard Sapers
Independent Advisor on Corrections Reform
 Every person in Ontario deserves access to high quality health care that meets their individual
needs, no matter who they are or where they are. Access to mental health services is just as
important as access to physical health care.

Dr. Eric Hoskins

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Media Contacts
Yanni Dagonas

Ministers Office
416-325-5982
Andrew Morrison

Communications Branch
416-325-0432