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]

Inmates were put into solitary confinement 555 times between April and September 2015. Critics called these numbers "shocking".[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

In 2016, a special task force wrote a report with 42 recommendations to improve conditions.[8] The prison fulfilled 11 of these as of October 2016. They included a review of mental health training for staff and the introduction of a prisoner transportation coordinator to help prevent overcrowding.[9]

Notable Incidents

In March 2016 an inmate collapsed and died of a heart attack after complaining that they felt unwell.[10]

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/ottawa-jail-criticized-for-shocking-use-of-solitary-confinement
  6. ↑ "Correctional officers posed to strike Jan. 10 after 'no board' report issued". Ottawa Citizen. 2015-12-29. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  7. ↑ "Inmates resume eating meals at Ottawa jail. The "hunger strike" lasted six days.". Ottawa Citizen. 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  8. ↑ "Inmate population down 20 per cent as Ottawa jail works to improve conditions" CBC News 27. 2016-10-27. Retrieved 2017-04-19
  9. ↑ Pfeffer, Amanda. "Segregation limits, bail reform among 42 recommendations by Ottawa jail task force" CBC News. 2016-10-27. Retrieved on 2017-04-19
  10. ↑ "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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