The Quinte Detention Centre is being expanded.
The provincial government is investing $500 million over five years to modernize correctional facilities and support frontline corrections officers.
In Napanee, a separate building will be constructed adjacent to the existing facility.
A large portion of the expansion will be used for inmate programming and recreational activities.
The new living units will be dedicated to women who are incarcerated and will be single-storey and single-occupancy.
Each living unit for women will have a dedicated recreation yard.
Hastings – Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp hailed the upgrades, saying the investment will improve working conditions for frontline staff and will also reduce the stress and health risks for those incarcerated.
The provincial investment also includes the hiring of more than 500 new correctional staff.
Kramp also noted the construction jobs and additional full-time jobs at Quinte will help the local economy recover.
“The Ontario Government is making a substantial investment that will transform the corrections system in Eastern Ontario,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Modernizing outdated infrastructure and building new facilities will create a better and safer environment for our hard-working frontline staff and address overcrowding in many of our institutions.”
The modernization strategy for Ontario’s Eastern Region also includes:
- Building a new Greater Ottawa Correctional Complex on an existing government-owned site in Kemptville to improve staff and inmate safety;
- Replacing the Brockville Jail, which was built in 1842 and is currently the oldest in the province,with a new facility that will increase capacity and improve access to services and programming in the area;
- Expanding the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre to improve mental health services for women who are incarcerated and add capacity; and,
- Renovate the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre to better accommodate programming for inmates and other initiatives.
