KAWARTHA LAKES- Ontario says it is increasing adult correctional capacity by adding more than 2,500 permanent jail beds within the next decade including 255 beds by November 2026.
“When violent and repeat offenders break the law, Ontarians expect them to be kept behind bars and not back on our streets,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “That’s why we’re strengthening bail and making generational investments to increase correctional capacity so there is always room to hold criminals accountable, today and into the future.”
Ontario says it has established a multi-pronged approach to increasing adult correctional capacity across the province, including adding up to 255 permanent new beds across 12 existing institutions by November 2026, revising the design and scope of projects currently in the pipeline to bring up to 1,703 beds online and adding up to 610 beds through rapid builds at existing institutions.
- The government will add up to 610 beds in the near term through rapid builds:
- Central East Correctional Centre – 122 beds
- Central North Correctional Centre – 122 beds
- Other institutions – up to 366 beds
As announced in the 2026 Budget, the government says it is hiring more than 700 new correctional staff, including correctional officers, nurses and critical support workers. Ontario is also strengthening safety protocols in adult correctional facilities by upgrading body scanners and increasing the number of canine searches.
“People deserve to feel safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “That’s why our government is working across the justice system to strengthen bail and hold dangerous offenders accountable. Building on the strong measures our government has already taken to make bail more real and consequential for people accused of serious crimes, we are making historic investments to expand court and correctional capacity to keep violent and repeat offenders off our streets and protect Ontario communities.”
