Canada
Frequently asked questions about prisons and jails in Canada
Answers based on real directory data about the prisons, jails and detention centers in Canada: how many there are, who runs them, how to find them and how to get in touch.
How many prisons and detention centers are there in Canada?
The directory lists 150 facilities in Canada, spread across 13 provinces and territories and 108 localities. The regions with the most facilities are Ontario, British Columbia, Québec. By type: Prisons and penitentiaries (102), Local and county jails (20), Juvenile detention centers (17), Women's prisons (7), Immigration detention (3), Forensic psychiatric facilities (1). These are the facilities mapped as such in OpenStreetMap, so the figure may not include every real facility.
Who runs the prisons in Canada?
In Canada, prisons are run by Correctional Service Canada (federal sentences of two years or more) and the provincial and territorial correctional services. The profiles for Canada name these responsible bodies: Correctional Service Canada (7), Alberta Correctional Services (3), Service correctionel Canada (3), Correctional Service of Canada (2), Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General (2). This comes from the open source and is only shown when it exists.
How do I find a prison by town in Canada?
Choose the region or state first, then the municipality, and open the facility profile. For example, Ontario has 42 facilities; within that region, Kingston has 5 facilities. If you already know the name of the facility, use the search box on the home page.
What types of correctional facilities are there in Canada?
In Canada the directory distinguishes these categories: Prisons and penitentiaries (102), Local and county jails (20), Juvenile detention centers (17), Women's prisons (7), Immigration detention (3), Forensic psychiatric facilities (1). Each type has its own regime, and who may visit and which procedures apply also vary.
How do I contact or visit a correctional facility in Canada?
The directory lists 150 facilities in Canada. Of these, 26 show a phone number, 26 an official website, 0 an email address and 2 visiting hours. Visiting hours and requirements are set by each prison administration and change often: always confirm them by phone or on the official website before you travel.
Is the prison data for Canada official and reliable?
It is not official: it comes from OpenStreetMap, an open collaborative project, and nothing is invented or estimated. For 150 facilities in Canada, the profiles include: Address 100%, Operator / administration 28%, Phone 17%, Website 17%, Capacity 1%. Whatever is missing simply does not appear. If you manage a facility, you can request a free correction.