Ontario's Modular Jail Units Plan

0:00Ontario's turning to modular jail units, kind of like those old-school yard trailers, to fix its packed prisons. In the 2026 budget, Toxic Queens Park, Solicitor General Michael Kursner pushed a $500 million upgrade to modernize the system and boost capacity for public safety. They're planning permanent modular blocks at the Niagara Detention Center and Thorold, Cecil Facer, Art Youth Center and Sudbury and Vanier Center for Women. In Milton, each adding at least 50 beds, it worked at Canora Jail, where they added 50 spots back and fall, 2022, and now they're eyeing 150 more there too. Jails are bursting, with cells meant for one holding 321 bunks, one on the floor. Violence is spiking, staff shortages mean lockdowns and cancel programs, and the outgoing ombudsman called it a top crisis needing urgent fixes for everyone inside. Beyond modules, big moves include up to 320 new beds at Toronto's South Detention Center by end of 2026, a new complex in.

1:05Thunder Bay, 91 beds in Napini, and fresh sites in Brockville and Kimphill, they're also reopening jails in Bramford and Walkerton. Contracts went to Berk Construction for the modules, with buildings starting this year, though timelines are fuzzy. Kersner says they're pushing past local pushback, but opposition leader Merritt Styles wonders if it'll all pan out or if courts need fixing first to. Ease the Load. Toronto News Today, powered by AI bringing you a matters. I'm Corey with the story.