"Today's rally is to continue to inspire Canadians, give them hope that we can change this system and that we are obligated to change it," said Yusuf Faqiri.

In a letter to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, the coalition of Black, Indigenous and legal groups said it was also filing a freedom of information request to obtain the data.

Paul Dube details problems with overcrowding, poor living conditions, and lack of inmate access to medical care in his annual report released Tuesday.

"For years we've been asking for help."

Correctional officers in Ontario have resolved a weeks-long dispute with the government over permission to wear face masks inside provincial jails during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some institutions allow guards to wear surgical masks and gloves while others don't, said Chris Jackel, a spokesman for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

A London, Ont., jail is facing accusations it is ill-prepared for any potential outbreak of the novel coronavirus within its grounds.

"There is supposed to be active screening of people in place when they enter institutions, but it's nothing more than a sign at the door."

An Ontario government statement said the decisions were made "out of an abundance of caution" and in an effort "to protect the health and safety of our correctional services staff and those in our custody."

Police say six Toronto South Detention Centre correctional officers assaulted a prisoner.