Ontario Expanding Adult Correctional Capacity to Keep Dangerous Offenders Behind Bars

As part of the government’s plan to strengthen the bail system and keep dangerous offenders behind bars, Ontario is increasing adult correctional capacity by adding more than 2,500 permanent jail beds within the next decade. The province’s $3 billion investment in corrections capacity expansion will ensure the system can keep pace with tougher bail and sentencing laws while supporting frontline staff with increased hiring, supports and resources. The investment includes building new correctional facilities and expanding existing facilities, with projects currently underway across the province.

“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 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.

As announced in the 2026 Budget, the government is supporting increased capacity by 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.”

Ontario continues to put forward tough-on-crime recommendations for the federal government to implement, including reverse onus bail for serious offences and consecutive sentencing. Ontario continues to advocate for the federal government to make further changes to the Criminal Code and deliver real bail reform to strengthen Canada’s justice system and protect communities.

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