The Ontario government is adding more beds to several adult correctional facilities and reopening two intermittent detention centres in an effort to reduce overcrowded jails.

“We’re expanding and building facilities that will help frontline staff to do their jobs safely and effectively while increasing capacity to keep violent and repeat offenders off our streets,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “

In the short term, the government is repurposing the Regional Intermittent Centre at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London and the Toronto Intermittent Centre at the Toronto South Detention Centre, adding up to 430 new beds by 2026 to accommodate minimum- and medium-risk inmates.

The province also plans on building two new jails in eastern Ontario, including the Brockville Correctional Complex that will more than double capacity by adding 184 new beds. The Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex in Kemptville is also moving forward.

An expansion at the Quinte Detention Centre will bring inmate programming, female capacity and 18 new beds, which increases the institution’s capacity to more than 300 beds. The St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre will also be expanded to accommodate a women’s treatment unit.

The province announced it will also hire up to 200 additional correctional staff for the facilities, which could include nurses, correctional officers and support staff.