Rising violence inside Ontario prisons despite tightening security policies

Prisons in Ontario are witnessing a significant increase in violence rates, despite the government's move to tighten criminal policies and increase investments in building new detention facilities.
Recent data shows that assaults inside prisons — whether among inmates themselves or against staff — recorded higher levels during 2025 compared to previous years.

Increase in assaults on staff

According to the data, about 11 staff members were assaulted for every 100 inmates during 2025, compared to about 9 cases in 2024, a level similar to what it was before the coronavirus pandemic.

Escalation of violence among inmates

Violent incidents among inmates themselves also increased, with 67 assault cases recorded for every 100 inmates in 2025, compared to about 60 cases in 2023, reflecting a more tense and dangerous detention environment.

A gap between policies and reality

These figures come at a time when the government continues to adopt a stricter approach to dealing with crime, including calls for reforms in the bail system and expanding prison infrastructure.
However, the escalation of violence highlights internal challenges beyond the issue of capacity, such as detention conditions, staff shortages, and work pressures within correctional institutions.

Growing concerns among workers

Representatives of workers in the prison sector confirm that these numbers reflect a daily reality faced by staff, amid an increasingly dangerous work environment, raising concerns about occupational safety and the effectiveness of current policies.

Structural challenges

These developments indicate that addressing violence inside prisons may require deeper solutions, including improving detention conditions, enhancing rehabilitation programs, increasing support for staff, alongside a comprehensive review of the criminal policies in place.