Ontario ombudsman launches investigation into use of solitary confinement in jails

The Ontario ombudsman has opened an investigation into how the province tracks and reviews the placement of inmates in solitary confinement in its jails.

Ombudsman Paul Dub says he launched the investigation in lightof the "serious issues raised in an increasing number ofcomplaints" about the use of segregation in the province's correctional facilities.

Dub says his office has received over 500 segregation-related complaints in the past three years, and he wants an end to indefinite solitary confinement.

• Ontario ombudsman calls on province to end indefinite segregation in jails
• 'Positive reception' from Ontario on call to end indefinite segregation: ombudsman
• Solitary confinement use to be curbed in Ontario jails

The Liberal government announced last month it appointed federalcorrectional investigator Howard Sapers to lead a review into the use of segregation, including the possibility of ending the use ofindefinite isolation.

Sapers, who will become Ontario's independent adviser on corrections Jan. 1, has previously called for legislated caps on the time inmates spend in segregation.

The ombudsman says his investigation into segregation was plannedbefore Sapers was appointed by the province, and will "enhance" his work.

Correctional Services Minister David Orazietti recently announcedseveral changes to Ontario's policies on segregation, including a plan to lower a 30-day cap on disciplinary segregation to 15 consecutive days.

However, inmates can still be held in administrative segregation for example for safety reasonsindefinitely.