Ontario Hires 91 New Correctional Officers

HAMILTON — The Ontario government is strengthening public safety in communities across the province by adding 91 new correctional officers to the frontlines. These recent graduates are the first group of recruits to receive compensation from the province while undergoing training in order to reduce barriers to employment. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to invest more than $500 million over five years to transform correctional services and improve health and safety through new hiring and infrastructure improvements.

“Correctional officers are essential justice sector partners who help ensure communities are safe and protected,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “We are making it easier for people to pursue a career as a correctional officer by offering compensation while they complete the intensive training program. This was the first class to graduate using this new approach and I want to thank all 91 for their commendable career choice and commitment to public service.”

The eight-week training program took place virtually and in-person, providing officers with job-specific case studies and scenario-based learning with a focus on anti-Black racism, Indigenous cultural training and inmate management techniques. The training also featured improved communication and de-escalation skills to ensure officers are better equipped to respond to real-life incidents.

Correctional officer graduates are being assigned to 19 different institutions across Ontario near their home regions:

• 18 graduates will support the Eastern Region at the Central East Correctional Centre, Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, Quinte Detention Centre and the Brockville Jail and St. Lawrence Valley Treatment Centre.
• 20 will support the Western Region at the Central North Correctional Centre, Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, Sarnia Jail,South West Detention Centre and Stratford Jail.
• 21 graduates will work in the Northern Region at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre,Kenora Jail,Monteith Correctional Complex,North Bay Jail and Thunder Bay Jail.
• 20 will work in the Toronto Region at Toronto East Detention Centre and Toronto South Detention Centre.
• 12 will work in the Central Region at the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre and Maplehurst Correctional Complex.

15 of the 91 new graduates were trained in the North at the Thunder Bay Regional Training site. These Northern recruits received a local perspective on the unique challenges of each facility to help ensure frontline officers reflect the communities they serve.

Recent government action to support corrections staff includes:

• Ontario Building Pathways to Careers in Corrections
• Ontario Announces Successful Bidder for Expansion of Northern Correctional Facilities
• Ontario Enhances Security at Adult Correctional Facilities
• Ontario Strengthening Correctional System in the North

SOURCE  Province of Ontario