Ontario takes next steps to reopen Brantford Jail with $3B investment

Ontario is taking the next step to reopen the Brantford Jail through a $3 billion investment to build and expand jails.

The provincial government is exploring the reopening of the Brantford Jail to potentially add up to 125 beds to the correctional system in the province and support the government’s ongoing work to protect Ontario.

It’s part of the Ford government’s plan to expand the correctional capacity in Ontario by 2,500 beds.

“Protecting Ontario starts with making sure our correctional system has the capacity it needs today and for years to come,” says Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.

The Brantford Jail closed in 2017, and the solicitor general is looking to bring it back to life, but doesn’t yet know how much that will cost.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General and Infrastructure Ontario are in the planning and design phase for the reopening of the jail.

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This will identify the necessary upgrades to ensure the facility can operate safely, guiding future project decisions.

“Our government is making long-term investments to build a stronger, more sustainable correctional system that help keep our communities safe,” says Acting Infrastructure Minister Todd McCarthy.

“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we are building and renewing critical infrastructure through the province’s $236 billion capital plan to support communities, create good-paying jobs and protect Ontario.”

Right now, whenever a prisoner is remanded into custody, they have to be transferred to another community.

“Depends — it could be Hamilton, it could be Milton, it could be Kitchener, but it’s definitely somewhere with over an hour to drive to get the prisoners to the jails,” said Brantford Police Chief Jason Saunders.

READ MORE: Ontario to expand jail capacity by 2,500 beds over 10 years at a cost of $3 billion

Saunders says it’s frustrating for police services in Ontario to see criminals get released early, because of overcrowding.

“So we look forward to an opportunity where judges don’t need to reduce sentences, because the conditions in our jails are adequate and they’re appropriate,” said Saunders.

Criminology professor Justin Piché with the University of Ottawa, doesn’t think reviving a pre-confederation prison is the answer.

“Permanent supportive housing actually would do a heck of a lot more to improve community safety and address those issues, than reopening the Brantford Jail, and we could do so more quickly and more cheaply,” said Piché.

Ontario’s plan includes building new jails, expanding existing ones, and reopening a few others that have closed.

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