ABOVE: An inside look at Canada’s newest jail. Mark Carcasole reports.
TORONTO – Convicted criminals in Ontario will have a new place to call home very soon.
The Toronto South Detention Centre in Etobicoke is set to open later this fall and is considered a “state-of-the-art” facility.
Media crews were given a tour inside the building on Thursday, which is located at the former Mimico Correctional Centre.
The new prison will replace the ageing Toronto Don Jail and the Toronto West Detention Centre.
Construction of the prison was announced back on May 9, 2008 by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
The detention centre was built with a private-public partnership at a cost of $594 million that includes designing, building, financing and a 30 year maintenance contract.
The prison has a 1,650 bed capacity and offers a number of specialized programs for offenders, including a mental health assessment unit, special needs unit and an Aboriginal program area.
The new facility has an open concept public reception area and used bricks from the former Mimico bricks works company in the lobby of the building.
Some of the new design and technological features of the TSDC include x-ray devices and metal detectors, 70 video visit terminals for public use, and videoconferencing for routine bail and remand hearings.
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