Latest news with #PaulDubé
Global News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Global News
Ombudsman to investigate Ontario jail where inmates were stripped to boxers, had wrists tied
The Ontario ombudsman is launching an investigation into the treatment of inmates at a provincially run jail after an avalanche of complaints from the public and prisoners. The backlash stems from an incident in which inmates were forced to strip down to their underwear and sit, wrists tied, facing a wall. On Monday, Ombudsman Paul Dubé's office said he would be probing the Ministry of the Solicitor General's response to the incident that occurred at Maplehurst Correctional Complex back in December 2023. The facility houses around 1,500 inmates and is rated as medium and maximum security. The incident in question involved a crisis intervention team of correctional officers in part of the Maplehurst jail. During the event, the ombudsman said inmates were stripped down to their boxer shorts and forced to sit on the floor facing the wall, with their wrists zip-tied together. Story continues below advertisement Earlier this year, the Toronto Star released security footage relating to the event, including correctional officers dressed in tactical gear patrolling as inmates sat on the floor. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The ombudsman's office said it had received 60 complaints about the incident, including from some directly involved. They also said several inmates have had their sentences reduced because of the incident. 'Several inmates and members of the public have contacted us to express concerns about the treatment of inmates by the ICIT over two days in December 2023,' Dubé said in a statement. 'The Ministry has already investigated the incident. What my investigation will cover is the steps the Ministry took as a result, and what it is doing to make sure something like this does not happen again.' Global News contacted the Solicitor General's office for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The ombudsman's office said his investigation will look at the government's response and measures that can be put in place to avoid it happening in the future. It will not probe the conduct of individual correctional officers.
Cision Canada
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Ombudsman to investigate Ontario's response to incident at Maplehurst Correctional Complex Français
Paul Dubé: Significant concerns raised about accountability and inmates' rights TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced a new investigation into the Ministry of the Solicitor General's response to a December 2023 incident at Maplehurst Correctional Complex, due to significant public concerns about transparency, accountability and inmates' rights. The incident involved Maplehurst's Institutional Crisis Intervention Team (ICIT), and its response to an assault on a correctional officer at the complex in Halton Region, which houses nearly 1,500 inmates in medium and maximum security. "Several inmates and members of the public have contacted us to express concerns about the treatment of inmates by the ICIT over two days in December 2023," Mr. Dubé said. "The Ministry has already investigated the incident. What my investigation will cover is the steps the Ministry took as a result, and what it is doing to make sure something like this does not happen again." During the two days that ICIT correctional officers were deployed at Maplehurst, inmates in Unit 8 were stripped to their boxer shorts and forced to sit on the floor and face the wall with their wrists zip-tied, while correctional officers in tactical gear patrolled behind them. Some of these inmates have subsequently had their sentences reduced by judges who have raised concerns about this treatment. In one case, the prosecution acknowledged that an inmate's rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms were violated during the ICIT incident. "When an incident occurs in an Ontario correctional facility that impacts the administration of justice and the rights of inmates, it is imperative that we understand why it happened and what is being done to ensure that it does not recur," the Ombudsman said. The Ombudsman's Office receives thousands of complaints related to correctional services every year, and engages actively with the Ministry of the Solicitor General to address these cases and underlying systemic issues. The Ombudsman received some 60 complaints about the ICIT incident at Maplehurst, including from inmates who were directly involved. Now that the Ministry has had the opportunity to complete its internal investigations of this matter, the Ombudsman has determined that an investigation by his Office is warranted in order to ensure transparency and accountability, and adequate safeguards for the future. The investigation will focus on the Ministry's response to the incident and what safeguards can be put in place to prevent something similar from happening in future. The investigation will not examine personnel or disciplinary matters related to individual correctional staff. Given the significant public interest in this issue, the Ombudsman has committed to completing the investigation as efficiently as possible. Anyone who has information that they believe may be relevant to the investigation is invited to contact Ombudsman Ontario by filing a confidential complaint form at by calling 1-800-263-1830 or emailing [email protected]. Media please note: As this investigation is in its early stages, the Ombudsman will not be available to discuss it publicly. About Ombudsman Ontario: The Ombudsman, established in 1975 to help protect the rights of all Ontarians, is an independent and impartial officer of the Legislature. Under the Ombudsman Act, the Ombudsman reviews and resolves complaints and inquiries from the public about provincial government organizations, as well as French language services, child protection services, municipalities, universities and school boards. The Ombudsman's systemic investigations have prompted widespread reforms benefiting millions of people across the province.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ombudsman to investigate Ontario's response to incident at Maplehurst Correctional Complex
Paul Dubé: Significant concerns raised about accountability and inmates' rights TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé today announced a new investigation into the Ministry of the Solicitor General's response to a December 2023 incident at Maplehurst Correctional Complex, due to significant public concerns about transparency, accountability and inmates' rights. The incident involved Maplehurst's Institutional Crisis Intervention Team (ICIT), and its response to an assault on a correctional officer at the complex in Halton Region, which houses nearly 1,500 inmates in medium and maximum security. "Several inmates and members of the public have contacted us to express concerns about the treatment of inmates by the ICIT over two days in December 2023," Mr. Dubé said. "The Ministry has already investigated the incident. What my investigation will cover is the steps the Ministry took as a result, and what it is doing to make sure something like this does not happen again." During the two days that ICIT correctional officers were deployed at Maplehurst, inmates in Unit 8 were stripped to their boxer shorts and forced to sit on the floor and face the wall with their wrists zip-tied, while correctional officers in tactical gear patrolled behind them. Some of these inmates have subsequently had their sentences reduced by judges who have raised concerns about this treatment. In one case, the prosecution acknowledged that an inmate's rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms were violated during the ICIT incident. "When an incident occurs in an Ontario correctional facility that impacts the administration of justice and the rights of inmates, it is imperative that we understand why it happened and what is being done to ensure that it does not recur," the Ombudsman said. The Ombudsman's Office receives thousands of complaints related to correctional services every year, and engages actively with the Ministry of the Solicitor General to address these cases and underlying systemic issues. The Ombudsman received some 60 complaints about the ICIT incident at Maplehurst, including from inmates who were directly involved. Now that the Ministry has had the opportunity to complete its internal investigations of this matter, the Ombudsman has determined that an investigation by his Office is warranted in order to ensure transparency and accountability, and adequate safeguards for the future. The investigation will focus on the Ministry's response to the incident and what safeguards can be put in place to prevent something similar from happening in future. The investigation will not examine personnel or disciplinary matters related to individual correctional staff. Given the significant public interest in this issue, the Ombudsman has committed to completing the investigation as efficiently as possible. Anyone who has information that they believe may be relevant to the investigation is invited to contact Ombudsman Ontario by filing a confidential complaint form at , by calling 1-800-263-1830 or emailing info@ Aussi disponible en français Media please note: As this investigation is in its early stages, the Ombudsman will not be available to discuss it publicly. About Ombudsman Ontario: The Ombudsman, established in 1975 to help protect the rights of all Ontarians, is an independent and impartial officer of the Legislature. Under the Ombudsman Act, the Ombudsman reviews and resolves complaints and inquiries from the public about provincial government organizations, as well as French language services, child protection services, municipalities, universities and school boards. The Ombudsman's systemic investigations have prompted widespread reforms benefiting millions of people across the province. SOURCE Ombudsman Ontario View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
