HAMILTON – Ontario continues to improve safety measures in the adult correctional system with the addition of 35 new correctional officers who will be joining the frontline. These recent graduates are part of the government’s commitment to invest more than $500 million over five years to hire over 500 new, well-trained correctional workers and modernize outdated infrastructure.
“I would like to congratulate the latest group of correctional officer graduates for their hard work and commitment, especially during this challenging time,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “They now join a group of dedicated staff who contribute to community safety across the province each and every day, becoming essential partners in Ontario’s justice system.”
The training program took place virtually and in-person, providing officers with institution-based training, including more job-specific case studies and scenario-based learning with an emphasis on anti-Black racism, Indigenous cultural training and inmate management techniques. This approach builds critical-thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills so graduates are better prepared to respond to real life situations. The training also focuses on improved communication and de-escalation skills.
The graduates will be assigned to 11 different institutions across Ontario near their home regions:
- Nine graduates will support the Northern region at Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, Fort Frances Jail, Kenora Jail, Monteith Correctional Complex and Thunder Bay Jail.
- 13 will work in the Central Region at Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, Maplehurst Correctional Complex, Niagara Detention Centre and Vanier Centre for Women.
- 13 will work in the Toronto Region at Toronto East Detention Centre and Toronto South Detention Centre.
Recent government action to support correctional staff includes: