The Niagara Detention Centre (NDC) experienced record-high overcrowding levels in the first half of 2025, reaching an occupancy rate of 136 percent, as per CBC News’ analysis of data. The data, acquired through freedom of information requests to Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, provides insights into the jail populations and lockdowns across 24 provincial institutions from January 2019 to July 2025.
In 2019, the NDC had an occupancy rate of 97 percent with an average jail population of 215 inmates. However, in the first six months of 2025, the average population spiked to 302 inmates, representing a significant increase of about 40 percent compared to 2019. The facility, equipped with 240 operational beds, struggled to accommodate the surge in inmate numbers.
Angela Case, the mother of a 22-year-old who passed away in the NDC in 2018, expressed concerns over the escalating numbers. Her son, Jordan Case, tragically died due to an overdose in his cell. During an inquest into Jordan’s death in early 2025, Case highlighted the longstanding issue of overcrowding at the NDC.
Case recalled the inadequate conditions her son faced, mentioning the use of thin mattresses and cramped living spaces at the NDC. She described how Jordan had to improvise with two mattresses on the floor due to limited accommodations in the cell.
NDC Union President Comments on Overcrowding
Dave Haine, the union president representing NDC correctional workers, expressed the challenges faced by staff due to overcrowding. He likened the situation to a game of Tetris, where officers constantly juggle inmates to match the operational bed capacity.
Haine highlighted the strain on staff caused by the influx of inmates and the lack of additional resources to support the growing population. He emphasized the impact on staff well-being and the difficulties in meeting program demands amidst the rising detainee numbers.
According to Haine, the NDC employs approximately 93 full-time and 60 contract correctional officers who often work full-time hours to manage the facility’s operations.
“Our building, constructed in 1973, presents logistical challenges in accommodating the increasing demand for programs and services,” noted Haine, underscoring the structural limitations.
“The pressure continues to mount each day,” he added.
Prevalence of Remand Inmates
In 2024, a substantial 89 percent of NDC inmates were on remand, awaiting trial and considered innocent. Jordan Case, like many others, was held in pre-trial detention. His struggles with addiction and mental health issues underscored the complexities faced by individuals in correctional facilities.
Advocates for reform, such as criminology professor Justin Piché, criticized the Ontario government’s emphasis on stringent bail regulations targeting violent offenders, which contribute to overcrowding in jails.
On July 17, 2025, Solicitor General Michael Ker