Top 10 Worst Prisons in Canada
Prisons are intended to be institutions that reform and rehabilitate individuals who have committed crimes, while also serving as a means of punishment for their actions. Canadian prison system is no exception to this, There are about 53 correctional centers across Canada with facilities located across the country that are designed to help inmates become productive members of society once they are released.
However, not all prisons are created equal, and some have gained notoriety for their poor conditions, lack of resources, and inadequate rehabilitation programs. In this article, we will be exploring the top 10 worst prisons in Canada, based on a set of criteria that we have established.
Our goal is not to vilify the Canadian prison system as a whole but rather to shed light on the facilities that are failing to meet their intended purpose of reform and rehabilitation. We believe that by identifying these institutions and the reasons for their shortcomings, we can work towards improving the Canadian justice system as a whole.
Top 10 Worst Prisons in Canada
In no particular order, here are the top 10 worst prisons in Canada;
- Millhaven Institution, Ontario
- Edmonton Institution, Alberta
- Donnacona Institution, Quebec
- Pacific Institution, British Columbia
- Dorchester Penitentiary, New Brunswick
- Saskatchewan Penitentiary, Saskatchewan
- Joyceville Institution, Ontario
- Springhill Institution, Nova Scotia
- Grand Valley Institution, Ontario
- Stony Mountain Institution, Manitoba
1. Millhaven Institution, Ontario
Millhaven is the first on our list of the top 10 worst prisons in Canada. Millhaven Institution, located in Bath, Ontario, is a maximum-security prison. This prison was opened in 1971 and has a capacity of about 500 convicts. Millhaven is well-known for its strict security and is home to some of Canada’s most notorious criminals.
Due to many challenges that have plagued the facility for years, Millhaven Institution has earned a reputation as one of the worst prisons in Canada. The prison has been reprimanded for its poor living conditions, overcrowding, and inadequate resources for rehabilitation and mental health treatment.
One of the significant issues at Millhaven Institution is violence. The prison has a high rate of violent incidents between inmates and staff, with assaults and fights being a regular occurrence.
Another issue is overcrowding. Millhaven Institution is frequently over capacity, which leads to inmates being housed in cramped and often unsanitary conditions.
Millhaven has a history of failed escapes, riots, manhunts, and deaths. For example, after a wave of convict breakouts in 2004, the correctional personnel at Millhaven Maximum Security were afraid for their safety. Similarly, a riot broke out at Millhaven in May 2009,(although it was brief). On March 21, 2011, a prisoner named Jordan Trudeau, 29, was also killed by a correctional guard during a normal exercise in the gymnasium area.
Regarding the problems at Millhaven Institution, the federal government has announced plans to construct a new maximum-security prison in Ontario. The new facility will have modern infrastructure and will be designed to address the issues that have plagued Millhaven and other prisons in Canada.
2. Edmonton Institution, Alberta
The second prison on this list is Edmonton. The Edmonton Institution is a maximum-security prison located in Edmonton, Alberta. It was opened in 1990 and has a capacity of approximately 324 inmates. However, the facility has been criticized for its poor living conditions, lack of resources for rehabilitation, and high rates of violence and staff misconduct.
One of the major issues at Edmonton Institution is the incident of violence. The prison has a high rate of assaults and fights between inmates, which has resulted in injuries and even deaths. There have also been reports of staff misconduct, such as the use of excessive force and mistreatment of inmates.
Another issue is the lack of resources for rehabilitation and mental health treatment. The inmates at Edmonton Institution have limited access to educational programs, job training, and other resources that can help them successfully reintegrate into society after they are released.
There have been several incidents at Edmonton Institution in recent years that have highlighted the problems at the facility. In 2016, an inmate was found dead in his cell after being beaten by his cellmate. The incident raised concerns about the safety of inmates at the prison and the ability of staff to prevent violence.
Overall, Edmonton Institution is one of the worst prisons in Canada due to its high rates of violence, lack of resources for rehabilitation, and poor living conditions. While there have been efforts to address these issues, such as the introduction of new programs and the hiring of additional staff, it remains to be seen whether they will be enough to turn the facility around.
3. Donnacona Institution, Quebec
Next up, we have the Donnacona institution located in Quebec, Canada. Donnacona Institution is a maximum-security prison that was opened in 1988 and has a capacity of approximately 451 inmates.
Donnacona Institution is one of the worst prisons in Canada due to its high rates of violence, lack of resources for rehabilitation, poor living conditions, high rates of violence, and inadequate resources for rehabilitation.
The prison has a high rate of assaults and fights between inmates, which has resulted in injuries and even deaths. There have also been reports of staff misconduct, including the use of excessive force and mistreatment of inmates.
Another issue is the lack of resources for rehabilitation and mental health treatment. Inmates at Donnacona Institution have limited access to educational programs, job training, and other resources to help transform them and make them useful after they are released.
There have also been reports of inadequate food and medical care, which can have a negative impact on the health and well-being of inmates. Although there have been efforts to make the facility better, we still hope things get better.
4. Pacific Institution, British Columbia
The next prison on our list of the top 10 worst prisons in Canada is the Pacific. The Pacific Institution is a medium-security prison for male offenders located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The facility was opened in 1966 and has a capacity of approximately 450 inmates and 0ver 300 staff members.
This prison has been known to be one of the worst prisons in Canada due to its poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare. The prison is often overcrowded, which can lead to inmates being housed in cramped and unsanitary conditions.
There have been reports of inadequate food and limited access to recreational activities, which can contribute to tension and conflict between inmates. In addition to these issues, Pacific Institution has also had a history of violent incidents, including assaults and stabbings.
In recent years, the facility has made efforts to improve safety, such as the installation of new cameras and the hiring of additional staff. Despite these efforts, Pacific Institution remains one of the worst prisons in Canada due to its limited resources for rehabilitation and healthcare, poor living conditions, and history of violence.
5. Dorchester Penitentiary, New Brunswick
Dorchester Penitentiary, located in Dorchester, New Brunswick, is a medium-security prison managed by the Correctional Service of Canada. It was originally opened in 1880 as a maximum-security prison but has since been downgraded to medium-security. The facility has a capacity of 392 inmates, and it has been regarded as one of the worst prisons in Canada over the years.
One of the major issues at Dorchester Penitentiary is the overcrowding. The facility often houses more inmates than it was designed for, which can lead to issues with safety and security. There have also been reports of inadequate food, limited access to recreation, and unsanitary conditions.
In addition to these issues, Dorchester Penitentiary has also been the home of several high-profile incidents in recent years. In 2014, an inmate was killed by another inmate, leading to calls for increased safety measures and staffing levels at the prison.
Overall, Dorchester Penitentiary is one of the worst prisons in Canada due to its overcrowding, limited access to resources and programming, and poor living conditions. While some efforts have been made to address these issues, we believe there’s a whole lot that needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates at the facility.
6. Saskatchewan Penitentiary, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Penitentiary is a maximum-security prison located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. It was built in 1911 and has a capacity of approximately 570 inmates. The prison has a reputation as one of the worst prisons in Canada due to a number of issues.
One of the major issues at Saskatchewan Penitentiary is the high level of violence. Inmates have reported frequent fights and assaults, and staff have also been subjected to violence from inmates. The violence is often fueled by gang activity, which has been a longstanding problem at the prison.
Inadequate healthcare is also a problem at Saskatchewan Penitentiary. Inmates have reported long wait times for medical and dental services, and inadequate mental health services. This can lead to untreated health issues and negatively impact the well-being of the inmates.
In November 2022, a report by the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) found that the use of force at Saskatchewan Penitentiary had increased significantly over the past year, despite efforts to reduce the use of force. The report also noted ongoing concerns about the quality of healthcare at the prison, as well as concerns about the use of segregation and the overrepresentation of Indigenous inmates.
Although there have been some efforts to make the prison a bit better, there is still a lot that needs to be done to improve the facility.
7. Joyceville Institution, Ontario
Next up, we have the Joyceville Institution, Ontario. Joyceville Institution, located in Kingston, Ontario, is a medium-security prison managed by the Correctional Service of Canada. The facility was opened in 1959 and has a capacity of 504 inmates. Despite its relatively small size, Joyceville has gained a reputation as one of the worst prisons in Canada due to a range of issues.
One of the main issues at Joyceville Institution is the prevalence of violence. Inmates have reported frequent fights and assaults, as well as reports of staff using excessive force, which can exacerbate tensions between staff and inmates and contribute to a cycle of violence.
Overcrowding is another issue at Joyceville Institution. In recent years, the prison has often operated above its official capacity, which can lead to increased tension and conflict among inmates. The lack of privacy and personal space can also be a source of stress and anxiety for inmates, which can negatively impact their mental health.
Another issue at Joyceville Institution is the limited access to programming and education. Inmates have reported a lack of opportunities for skill-building and personal development, which can make it difficult for them to successfully reintegrate into society. The lack of programming can also contribute to boredom and frustration among inmates, which can contribute to tension and conflict within the prison.
In 2021, there was a report by the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) that identified a number of issues at the prison, including concerns about staff use of force, the lack of access to programming and mental health services, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous inmates. The report called for increased resources and programming to address these issues and improve the overall conditions at the prison.
8. Springhill Institution, Nova Scotia
Springhill Institution, located in Springhill, Nova Scotia, is a medium-security prison managed by the Correctional Service of Canada. The facility was originally built in 1967 and has a capacity of 464 inmates. However, despite its relatively modern facilities, Springhill Institution has a reputation as one of the worst prisons in Canada.
Some of the main issues at Springhill Institution include the prevalence of violence and overcrowding. Inmates have reported frequent fights and assaults, as well as a lack of intervention from staff to prevent or de-escalate these incidents. This can create a dangerous and intimidating environment for inmates, as well as contribute to ongoing tension and conflict within the prison.
Another issue at Springhill Institution is the lack of access to programming and education. Inmates have reported limited opportunities for skill-building and personal development, which can make it difficult for them to successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
This lack of programming can also contribute to boredom and frustration among inmates, which can contribute to tension and conflict within the prison. Although recent changes have been made regarding the lack of programming, there’s still a huge gap left to fill.
9. Grand Valley Institution, Ontario
Grand Valley Institution, located in Kitchener, Ontario, is a federal prison for women managed by the Correctional Service of Canada. The facility was opened in 1997 and has a capacity of approximately 200 inmates. Despite being a relatively new facility, Grand Valley Institution has a reputation as one of the worst prisons in Canada.
One of the main issues at Grand Valley Institution is the prevalence of mental health issues among inmates. According to a 2021 report by the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI), the prison has a high rate of self-harm and suicidal behavior among inmates, which brought concerns about the adequacy of mental health services available to them.
Overcrowding is also a concern at Grand Valley Institution. The prison often operates above its capacity, which can lead to increased tension and conflict among inmates.
Another issue at Grand Valley Institution is the lack of access to programming and education. Inmates have reported limited opportunities for skill-building and personal development, which can make it difficult for them to successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
Recent news and developments related to Grand Valley Institution include the 2021 OCI report mentioned earlier, which called for increased resources and programming to address the issues at the prison, particularly those related to mental health.
10. Stony Mountain Institution, Manitoba
The last prison on our list of the top 10 worst prisons in Canada is the Stony Mountain Institution. The Stony Mountain Institution is a federal prison for men managed by the Correctional Service of Canada. The facility was launched in 1877 and has a capacity of about 560 inmates.
One of the main issues at Stony Mountain Institution is the alarming rate of gang activity and violence among inmates. The prison has been described as a “gladiator school” due to the high levels of violence, assaults, and stabbings that occur within its walls.
The prison also has a history of operating above its official capacity, leading to a lack of personal space and privacy which can result in increased tension and conflict among inmates.
In 2021, there was a report by the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI), which called for increased educational resources to address the issues at the prison, particularly those related to violence and gang activity to keep them occupied.
Summary
From this review, we can see that the Canadian prison system is far from perfect, with several institutions struggling to provide safe and humane conditions for inmates. This article has highlighted the top 10 worst prisons in Canada, with each institution facing its own unique set of challenges.
Issues such as violence, overcrowding, staff shortages, and limited access to programming and education have been identified as common problems across several of these institutions. Furthermore, recent news and developments have demonstrated that these issues are ongoing and require urgent attention and reform.
It is important to acknowledge that while many of the inmates in these institutions have committed crimes, they are still human beings and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
As Canadians, we have a responsibility to demand better treatment from our prison system and advocate for reform and improvement. This can include supporting organizations and initiatives that work towards rehabilitation, and speaking out against injustice and inequality.
