HAMILTON — The Ontario government is deploying more correctional services staff to ensure the safety and security of communities across the province. Today, 113 correctional officers and 18 probation and parole officers graduated from Ontario’s Corrections Centre for Professional Advancement and Training after several weeks of intensive training.
“I am proud to recognize and support our correctional services staff who keep Ontarians safe and protected,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “These individuals have taken on an important responsibility and their dedication to public service helps make our communities safer.”
We believe in second chances. That’s why we’re continuing to modernize corrections with our $500M investment to add frontline staff.
Congrats to the 113 correctional officers and 18 probation & parole officers graduating today! Thank you for serving!
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— Michael Kerzner (@MPPKerzner) December 9, 2022
Together with Mohawk College, the government delivers an extensive eight-week training program for correctional officers which includes enhanced instruction in communication and de-escalation techniques. The curriculum also includes a focus on anti-Black racism, Indigenous cultural training, and inmate management techniques.
Probation and parole officer graduates complete five weeks of extensive training at Ontario’s Correctional Services Recruitment and Training Centre. The training includes assessment and case plans, motivational interviewing, report writing, enforcement and managing specialized cases.
Quick Facts
- These officers strengthen public safety and build on the Ontario government’s investment of more than $500 million over five years to modernize adult correctional services.
- Correctional officer graduates received compensation from the province while undergoing training to help remove barriers to employment and to create job opportunities for individuals who want to pursue a rewarding career in corrections.
- 26 correctional officers were supported through the Northern Attraction Incentive Program which helps recruit and retain critical frontline corrections staff.
- Two probation and parole officers have been assigned in the Central Region, three have been assigned in the Northern Region, seven have been assigned in the Western Region and six in the Eastern Region.
- Four correctional officer graduates will support the Eastern Region at the Central East Correctional Centre and Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.
- 20 will support the Western Region at the Central North Correctional Centre, Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre and South West Detention Centre.
- 30 graduates will work in the Northern Region at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, Fort Frances Jail, Kenora Jail, Monteith Correctional Complex, Sudbury Jail and Thunder Bay Correctional Centre.
- 26 will work in the Toronto Region at Toronto East Detention Centre and Toronto South Detention Centre.
- 33 will support the Central Region at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, Maplehurst Correctional Complex, Niagara Detention Centre and Vanier Centre for Women.
- Three Francophone officers are in this cohort.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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