The New Toronto South Detention Centre

The New Buildings

Construction is well under way at the site of the new Toronto South Detention Centre.

Visit this site for regular updates.

See photos of our work in progress.

Construction of the Toronto South Detention Centre, announced May 9, 2008 by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, supports the Ontario government's commitment to safe, strong communities.

This new facility is part of Ontario’s ongoing modernization of correctional services. The Toronto South Detention Centre will replace the aging Toronto Jail, the Toronto West Detention Centre and will also address capacity issues. The Toronto South Detention Centre is on the site of the former Mimico Correctional Centre, which officially closed on December 5, 2011.

The construction of the Toronto South Detention Centre (TSDC) is being completed in two phases. The first phase was the opening of the Toronto Intermittent Centre (TIC), a 320 bed facility housing inmates serving weekend intermittent sentences, which began accepting inmates into custody on December 9, 2011.

The second phase is the construction of a 1,650 bed facility for remanded and sentenced inmates and will offer a number of specialized programs for offenders, including a mental health assessment unit, special needs unit and an Aboriginal healing area.

Toronto South Detention Centre will:

• reflect sound correctional practices in a functional, maximum security working environment
• address Ontario’s current and future inmate capacity needs
• maintain the highest of security standards, with state-of-the-art technology to provide for public safety, internal safety and security
• uphold sound environmental standards as the building is designed and built to LEEDS Silver standards
• have an inviting frontage, an open concept public reception area, and will use bricks from the former Mimico bricks works company in the lobby of the institution.

A number of activities are currently underway to prepare the building for opening:

• the development of all policies and procedures for the building, with public safety and security being of paramount importance
• development of inmate programming considerations
• continued partnership with a variety of social service agencies who provide valuable supports and services to inmates while they are in custody and following their release into their home community
• development of plans to assist inmates preparing for release, including assistance with establishing linkages with outside agencies to continue to provide access to any needed supports
• development of training initiatives
• continued engagement with community partners as the building nears completion.

Our goal is to ensure that the province has an efficient and effective correctional infrastructure plan that keeps Ontario’s communities safe and to ensure that individuals in our custody are held in safe, secure and humane conditions.

Toronto South Detention Centre
130 Horner Avenue
Etobicoke ON M8Z 4X8