Jails in the northern region of Ontario are currently experiencing significant overcrowding challenges, surpassing the capacity limits set in 2019. Frontline workers and inmates are expressing concerns about the escalating unsafe conditions within many facilities.
Data obtained from the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General via freedom of information requests by CBC News reveals the jail population and operational capacity trends from January 1, 2019, to July 1, 2025. The most recent data, covering January to June 2025, shows the average occupancy rates for various jails in northern Ontario:
– Algoma Treatment and Remand Complex = 145%
– Sudbury Jail = 141%
– Kenora Jail = 130%
– North Bay Jail = 130%
– Thunder Bay Jail = 120%
– Thunder Bay Correctional Centre = 107%
– Monteith Correctional Complex = 96%
The Ministry of the Solicitor General, in response to CBC’s inquiry, stated that the government is actively addressing the issue by making significant investments to enhance correctional facility infrastructure and expand capacity across the province to ensure public safety.
Specifically, a new facility has been established in Kenora, and capacity in Thunder Bay has been expanded, adding a total of 50 new beds in the northern region. Furthermore, ongoing construction projects aim to introduce an additional 150 beds through modular buildings in Sudbury, Milton, and the Niagara region.
In northeastern Ontario, the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre in Sault Ste. Marie has witnessed a notable increase in overcrowding. The facility, designed to accommodate 155 inmates, currently houses around 210 individuals, exceeding its capacity by 135%. This strain has led to inmates being housed in unconventional areas like multi-purpose rooms and video call suites, resulting in compromised living conditions.
Similarly, at the Sudbury Jail, the average nightly population has surged from 142 inmates in 2019 to 184 inmates, prompting numerous individuals to sleep on the floor regularly. Inmate testimonies, such as that of Scott Henderson, highlight the challenging and uncomfortable circumstances within these overcrowded facilities.
North Bay’s jail has also experienced a significant rise in population, from an average of 81 inmates per night in 2019 to 131 individuals in recent times. Correctional officer Roselle Greuter notes the influx of mentally challenged and drug-addicted inmates, leading to increased tensions and violent incidents within the facility.
The Monteith Correctional Complex near Iroquois Falls has encountered a similar surge in population, emphasizing the strain faced by correctional officers in managing overcrowded conditions and inadequate resources.
In northwestern Ontario, the Kenora Jail and Thunder Bay Correctional Centre have seen substantial increases in nightly populations, exacerbating overcrowding issues and impacting the well-being of both inmates and staff. Correctional officer Sean Bradshaw and Anthony Rojik emphasize the challenges faced by these facilities, including assaults on staff, staff burnout, and the urgent need for improved infrastructure and resources to address the persistent overcrowding dilemma.
Despite ongoing construction efforts, the demand for additional correctional facilities in key areas remains pressing, reflecting the critical need for sustainable solutions to mitigate overcrowding and enhance safety within Ontario’s correctional system.