New graduates to be assigned to 15 different institutions
Expanding its correctional officer workforce, Ontario is adding 96 new workers who have completed the Corrections Foundational Training program.
“Correctional officers are critical partners in Ontario’s justice system. The comprehensive training these professionals have received will ensure communities across the province are supported and protected,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “I would like to commend the graduates for their hard work and commitment to public service.”
The program took place virtually and in-person over eight weeks. Recruits underwent training to help them gain skills necessary for their careers, including enhanced communication skills, de-escalation skills, anti-Black racism and Indigenous cultural training and inmate management techniques.
The Corrections Centre for Professional Advancement and Training used the Regional Intermittent Centre in London to teach the practical training components for new correctional officers with two cohorts completing training this summer.
In spring 2021, Ontario partnered with Mohawk College and launched a pilot project offering the virtual delivery of the corrections foundational training program.
In March, Ontario also hired 91 new correctional workers who were added to the frontlines. In January, the province announced it is providing probation and parole officers in the North with an additional $85,000-worth of new safety devices for use when travelling to and through remote regions.
Ontario also added 59 correctional workers to the frontlines in July 2020, and 35 in October the same year.
The latest set of graduates will be assigned to 15 different institutions across Ontario near their home regions:
15 graduates will support the Eastern Region at the Central East Correctional Centre, Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, Brockville Jail, St. Lawrence Valley Correctional & Treatment Centre and Quinte Detention Centre.
- 19 will support the Western Region at the Central North Correctional Centre, Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, Stratford Jail and Sarnia Jail.
- Eight graduates will work in the Northern Region at the North Bay Jail, Sudbury Jail and Monteith Correctional Complex.
- 34 will work in the Toronto Region at Toronto East Detention Centre and Toronto South Detention Centre.
- 20 graduates will support the Central Region at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex and Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.
Last month, Ontario also added 403 new recruits to its police force.
