Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre

Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre
Location 2244 Innes Road Ottawa, ON, Canada K1B 4C4
Status Operational
Capacity 575
Opened 1972
Managed by Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) is a correctional facility in Ottawa, Ontario.[1] It opened in 1972.

Conditions

The jail was condemned for not meeting United Nations standards for treatment of prisoners. In 2004, a defence lawyer likened it to an "Iraqi prison camp."[2]

Some inmates are triple bunked because of lack of space and overcrowding at the facility.[3]

In 2016 it was revealed that showers were used as segregation cells. The Ottawa Citizen revealed this fact and the Minister responsible, Yasir Naqvi stopped the practice.[4]

In general Ontario's prison system isn't holding up. Correctional officers, unions and some politicians have said Ontario’s correctional facilities are understaffed to the point that it is jeopardizing guard and inmate safety.[5] The Province has since promised to hire 2000 new correctional officers.

Inmates were put into solitary confinement 555 times between April and September 2015. Critics called these numbers "shocking".[6]

In January 2016, correctional officers were within 24 hours of going on strike. The concerns raised by union members were increased lockdowns, a lack of personal and professional visits and a complete lockdown with no yard.

A six-day hunger strike by prisoners occurred in December 2015. Prisoners were upset about having to eat meals in their cells due to lack of staffing at the prison.

Notable Incidents

In March 2016 an inmate collapsed and died of a heart attack after complaining about feeling unwell.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
  2. ↑ http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-enough-we-must-fix-the-ottawa-jail
  3. ↑ http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/inmate-dies-after-suffering-cardiac-arrest-at-ottawa-jail
  4. ↑ http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-enough-we-must-fix-the-ottawa-jail
  5. ↑ http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/province-promises-2000-new-correctional-officers
  6. ↑ http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-jail-criticized-for-shocking-use-of-solitary-confinement
  7. ↑ "Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre inmate collapses, dies". CBC/Radio-Canada. CBC News. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.

Coordinates: 45°25′29″N 75°34′47″W / 45.42466°N 75.57970°W / 45.42466; -75.57970


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