TORONTO — Ontario is changing regulations to make the use of segregation in its jails and correctional facilities “a measure of last resort” and cutting in half the amount of time inmates can be kept in isolation.
Correctional Services Minister David Orazietti says segregation should be used under the least restrictive conditions possible while still maintaining inmate and staff safety.
READ MORE: Ontario spent $44M to prepare for jail strike that never happened
Get daily National news
There will also be a limit of 15 consecutive days in disciplinary segregation, down from the current maximum of 30 consecutive days.
Orazietti says the loss of all privileges in disciplinary segregation will be eliminated and replaced with alternative sanctions and increased incentives for inmates to maintain good behaviour.
READ MORE: Man launches lawsuit against Ontario government over vicious Brockville jail assault
The province also wants a weekly segregation review committee created at each institution to conduct case reviews of all inmates in segregation.
Orazietti will also appoint an independent external reviewer to further examine the use of segregation and advise the government on how to reduce the number of people held in segregation and how to improve conditions for them.
- Ontario alcohol expansion not related to early election speculation: minister
- Ford government’s Bill 124 backpay cost increases again, closing in on $7B
- Ontario city cracking down on ‘slum’ landlords who ‘ruin neighbourhoods’
- Ontario ends 2023-24 with nearly balanced budget, partly due to international tuition
Comments