New correctional officers en route, still no jail replacement plans

THUNDER BAY – The province plans to train five new correctional officers to work in local facilities, though the premier confirmed there are no imminent plans to replace the aging district jail.

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services announced Monday they are training 24 new officers to work in Northern Ontario correctional facilities, including three at the Thunder Bay District Jail and two at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre.

During her visit to the city last week, Premier Kathleen Wynne was asked by local media if her government was considering building a replacement to the nearly 90-year-old jail.

“I don’t have a timeline for you at this point,” Wynne said in response to a question asking if there are any plans for a new facility.

The MacDougall Street jail has generated attention across Ontario following a riot last December where a correctional officer was taken hostage for several hours and the top floor was reported to be heavily damaged.

That prompted a number of visits to the facility, as well as extensive criticism for the state of conditions for both correctional officers and inmates.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union president Warren “Smokey Thomas toured the facility and called it a “s***hole” while Official Opposition Leader Patrick Brown referred to conditions as “deplorable” while NDP corrections critic Jennifer French described the jail as being “archaic.”

Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Yasir Naqvi took a look inside the jail in January and at that time did not commit to a replacement either.

“We recognize there needs to be a transformation both in terms of bricks and mortar but also in terms of the processes within the jails and the supports,” Wynne said.

“I have visited jails in the province and I know there are serious changes that are needed. The minister is very engaged with local members on how we can improve going forward.”

As well, a coroner’s inquest that took place in January into the 2007 deaths of two inmates, Ronald Fagan and Jacy Pierre, recommended that a replacement facility be built.