Take Action: Outbreak at the Toronto East Detention Centre

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There has been yet another COVID-19 outbreak at the Toronto East Detention Centre (TEDC). The Ministry of the Solicitor General reported 17 new positive cases at the TEDC with 77 people held in medical isolation across Toronto Region Institutions as of September 23, 2021. Since September 2020, the number of inmates placed in medical isolation has more than doubled in Ontario-run prisons. Reports from inside indicate that these numbers are much higher than what these institutions have documented.

The increase in medical isolations in Ontario’s prisons suggest that there has either been rampant outbreaks inside or a dramatic increase in incarceration rates. Even though the Ontario Human Rights Commission has called on Ontario to reduce incarceration rates to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. 

Due to continuing unsanitary conditions, close quarters, frequent physical contact, and the underlying chronic health conditions of many detained people - jails and prisons pose challenges that threaten the health and wellbeing of Ontario's Communities.

Premier Ford and Sylvia Jones are responsible for creating the conditions for more outbreaks to happen inside . We are calling on them to take immediate action to reduce the number of people in prison and improve conditions inside.