Full-body scanners coming to a jail near you

Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, which hosts up to 120 inmates at a time at its Great Northern Road facility, is among provincial correctional facilities being equipped with full-body security scanning systems.

Among other things, the new system is expected to be able to allow centre staff to detect contraband that is 'hidden internally.'

The province says the ATRC is getting the system installed in 2017-18. Many of Ontario's larger jails will have the systems installed by March, 2017.

The following is a news release from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services:

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Province Enhancing Correctional Staff Safety, Improving Security

Ontario is installing advanced technology full-body scanners in all 26 adult provincial correctional facilities over two years as part of its corrections transformation to further improve staff and inmate safety, reduce contraband and enhance security. 

Full-body security scanning systems safely scan bodies for external and internal contraband not detected by existing security measures.

The decision to move forward with this project follows a successful six-month pilot project at the Toronto South Detention Centre that resulted in a clear reduction in contraband, reduced incidents involving weapons and improved overall institutional safety and security. These units have also been recommended in several Coroner's Inquests, and are highly supported by correctional officers, provincial health and safety committees, and other correctional staff.  

Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to install full-body scanners in all adult correctional facilities. The purchase of the scanning systems was done through a competitive procurement process to ensure value for taxpayer dollars. The total cost of the scanners, including maintenance on the units over 10 years, is $9.5 million.

Enhancing security in correctional facilities across the province is a key part of the government's transformation of Ontario's correctional system to build safer communities.

QUICK FACTS

    •    Current search methods cannot always detect and identify contraband that is hidden internally or that is non-metallic.

    •    During the pilot project at Toronto South Detention Centre, 16,427 inmates were scanned and dozens of contraband items were confiscated.

    •    The first 11 scanners are scheduled to be installed by the end of March 2017. Scanners will be installed in all ministry adult insititutions within two years.

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