Home / Crime and Justice / Ontario Jail Guards Face Suicide Crisis: Urgent Calls for Help
Ontario Jail Guards Face Suicide Crisis: Urgent Calls for Help
30 Jun
Summary
- 34 Ontario correctional workers died by suicide over 15 years.
- Mental health coverage for guards is capped, unlike police benefits.
- Jail overcrowding is linked to increased violence impacting staff.
A recent coroner's report, 'In the Light of Day,' has highlighted a severe suicide crisis among Ontario's correctional workers, revealing 34 deaths by suicide over the past 15 years. The report's authors, Dr. Reuven Jhirad and Rose Jumarang, made 28 recommendations to address the escalating issue. The rate of suicides has doubled between 2020 and 2024 compared to the previous decade.
Union representatives are calling for urgent government intervention, emphasizing that current mental health support is insufficient. Correctional workers have access to a maximum of $2,500 annually for psychological treatment, a stark contrast to the unlimited benefits provided to Ontario Provincial Police members. This disparity fuels frustration and leaves many workers unable to afford necessary care.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General acknowledges the unique challenges faced by correctional employees and has invested in programs like the Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel. Initiatives include mandatory training, a 24/7 therapy line, and a peer support program launched last month, with further trauma resiliency training planned for this year. The ministry stated it is reviewing the coroner's recommendations.
Beyond mental health coverage, the report also points to the impact of jail overcrowding on staff well-being. Ontario's jails operated at an average of 113% capacity in 2023, leading to increased violence, including inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-staff assaults. The province has pledged to build more facilities and hire additional correctional workers, aiming to increase jail capacity by nearly 6,000 beds by 2050.
