Ontario Government Announces Expansion of Quinte Detention Centre
Napanee Facility to Gain 66 New Beds and Modernized Programming Spaces
NAPANEE — The Ontario government has taken a significant step toward modernizing its adult correctional system with the announcement of an expansion at the Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been issued to increase the facility’s capacity by over 23 percent, ensuring better care and programming for inmates while enhancing safety for frontline correctional staff.
The planned expansion will add 66 new beds for female offenders and create more programming space, bringing the total capacity of the Quinte Detention Centre to over 300 beds. This initiative is part of a broader provincial strategy to address rising inmate populations and modernize infrastructure in Ontario’s adult correctional system.
“Our government continues to enhance our adult correctional system by increasing capacity and providing the tools and resources needed to support this essential pillar of our justice system,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “We are absolutely committed to keeping dangerous criminals off our streets and behind bars where they belong. We remain dedicated to protecting Ontario communities.”
Yesterday, I was joined by Mike Cranley of OSPEU 467 and @ricbresee_mpp to announce that our government has issued the Request for Qualifications for the expansion at the Quinte Detention Centre.
We are one step closer to putting more criminals in jail, where they belong. pic.twitter.com/trXZzF2A3P
— Michael Kerzner (@MPPKerzner) December 19, 2024
The project is also seen as a boost to public safety in the Eastern Region. Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma highlighted the importance of the investment, crediting Premier Doug Ford’s leadership in advancing critical infrastructure upgrades. “Once complete, the expanded Quinte Detention Centre will offer a higher inmate capacity and more programming spaces, ensuring the residents of Napanee are kept safe from dangerous offenders, while giving inmates that participate in highly specialized programs a better chance of successfully reintegrating into society,” said Surma.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) welcomed the move. Chad Oldfield, Co-chair of OPSEU’s Ministry Employee Relations Committee, acknowledged the expansion as a necessary improvement. “These additional beds, along with the hiring of full-time staff, will help manage the rising inmate counts and mitigate the risk of violence within institutions. This is a step in the right direction for the infrastructure improvements we need to assist with program delivery and to improve working conditions across the province.”
The next phase of the project involves selecting shortlisted applicants to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP), expected in summer 2025. The expansion builds on the government’s $500 million investment to modernize adult correctional services through infrastructure upgrades and the hiring of new staff.
The Quinte Detention Centre expansion is part of Ontario’s broader commitment to improving public safety and ensuring the justice system meets the needs of both inmates and correctional staff.
SOURCE: Province of Ontario
