The Ontario government is moving ahead with a major expansion of its correctional system, announcing plans to add hundreds of new jail spaces in Eastern Ontario as part of a broader strategy to crack down on crime and address capacity pressures across the province.
The province has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to build a new Brockville Correctional Complex and expand the nearby St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre, a project expected to add 295 new correctional beds to the region.
The initiative is part of a larger provincial plan to create 1,436 new correctional beds by 2032, as the government responds to concerns about overcrowding and the release of offenders due to limited space.
Premier Doug Ford framed the expansion as a key step in strengthening public safety and ensuring that violent offenders remain in custody.
“Our government is cracking down on criminals by building jails and strengthening the bail system to keep violent offenders where they belong: behind bars,” Ford said.
“The Brockville expansion is part of our plan to add over 1,400 beds in correctional facilities across the province and ensure lack of space is never an excuse to grant offenders early release.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing debates about bail reform, correctional overcrowding, and the effectiveness of tougher sentencing measures.
Last year, the province introduced the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025, aimed at tightening bail conditions for individuals accused of serious offences. The government has also expanded specialized bail prosecution teams to work more closely with police in handling repeat and violent offenders.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the investments are intended to ensure that the justice system has the capacity to detain offenders when necessary.
“When violent and repeat offenders break the law, Ontarians expect them to be held accountable,” Kerzner said.
“That’s why our government is strengthening bail laws and making generational investments to expand correctional capacity across Ontario, so that we always have room to keep offenders behind bars and off our streets.”
However, critics of similar policies in the past have argued that expanding jail capacity alone may not address underlying issues such as rehabilitation, mental health support, and systemic pressures within the justice system.
A broader province-wide expansion
The Brockville project is one piece of a wider infrastructure push that includes:
- 345 new beds at the Thunder Bay Correctional Complex
- 320 new beds at the Toronto South Detention Centre
- 150 new beds across modular expansions in Niagara, Milton, and Sudbury
- 91 new beds at the Quinte Detention Centre
- 235 new beds at the Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex
Officials say additional projects will be announced in the coming months, adding hundreds more beds across Ontario.
Beyond public safety, the Brockville expansion is expected to bring economic benefits to the region. The project will create more than 400 jobs, including correctional officers, nurses, and support staff.
Steve Clark called the project a major step forward for the community.
“Expanding the capacity of the Brockville Correctional Complex and St. Lawrence Valley Correctional Treatment Centre makes our community safer by keeping dangerous offenders off the street,” Clark said.
“Selecting the team to build this facility and replace the 184-year-old Brockville jail is an important step forward as we work to deliver the modern complex that correctional staff deserve.”
Local leaders also welcomed the investment, highlighting its potential to stimulate the regional economy.
Brant Burrow Mayor of Elizabethtown-Kitley, said the development could bring long-term benefits beyond its correctional role.
“We welcome the investment that the Ontario government is making in our community to build a modern correctional complex that will meet the needs of today and tomorrow,” Burrow said.
“The facility will also have economic benefits beyond our own borders by providing good paying jobs that will pay into the regional economy.”
The planned facility, spanning approximately 322,000 square feet, will replace aging infrastructure, including the current Brockville jail, which dates back more than 180 years.
Officials say the project is part of a broader effort to modernize Ontario’s correctional system through large-scale infrastructure investments.
Acting Infrastructure Minister Todd McCarthy said the expansion aligns with the province’s long-term capital plan.
“Once complete, these expansion projects will increase the capacity of the Brockville Correctional Complex and St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre, advancing our government’s plan to deliver a stronger correctional system with modern facilities to keep our communities safe,” McCarthy said.
“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we are building and renewing Ontario’s critical infrastructure through a historic capital plan of more than $223 billion.”
The procurement process is being led by Infrastructure Ontario, which has launched a competitive bidding process to select qualified construction partners.
Angela Clayton, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario, said the RFQ marks a key milestone.
“Launching the Request for Qualifications represents a significant milestone and signals the start of a competitive procurement process to bring a construction partner on board,” Clayton said.
“We remain committed to working closely with our government partners and engaging with experienced proponents who can support the delivery of correctional facilities that meet the province’s long-term needs.”
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