Friday May 7, 2021
HAMILTON — The Ontario government is hiring 89 new correctional officers to join the frontlines and help reinforce public safety in communities across the province. As part of Ontario’s commitment to invest more than $500 million over five years to transform correctional services, these recent graduates are the second group of recruits to receive compensation from the province while undergoing training to help remove barriers to employment.
"To support and strengthen Ontario's correctional system, we continue to hire more staff to ensure the safety and protection of our communities," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. "Providing new recruits with paid training makes it easier for people to consider a career in corrections and become essential partners in Ontario's justice system. I would like to congratulate the latest group of graduates for their hard work, dedication and commitment to public service."
Graduates completed eight-weeks of in-person and virtual training which included job-specific case studies and scenario-based learning with a focus on de-escalation and communications skills. This approach builds critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills, so graduates are better equipped to quickly respond to real life situations. The program also provides ongoing sensitivity training on Indigenous cultural, anti-Black racism and inmate management techniques.
Correctional officer graduates are being assigned to 17 institutions across Ontario near their home regions to help ensure they reflect the communities they serve:
- 11 graduates will support the Eastern Region at the Central East Correctional Centre, Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre and Quinte Detention Centre.
- 17 will support the Western Region at the Central North Correctional Centre, Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, Sarnia Jail and Stratford Jail.
- 17 graduates will work in the Northern Region at the Brockville Jail/St. Lawrence Valley Treatment Centre, Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, North Bay Jail and Sudbury Jail.
- 17 will work in the Toronto Region at Toronto East Detention Centre and Toronto South Detention Centre.
- 27 will support the Central Region at the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre, Maplehurst Correctional Complex, Niagara Detention Centre and Vanier Centre for Women.
Increasing numbers on the frontline, builds on recent government action to better support corrections staff: