Brantford area residents and officials backed the re-opening of the local jail under the new provincial bail reforms announced on Thursday, 6 August, 2026.
Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s Solicitor General, announced that the province is considering re-opening the jail as part of a $3 billion investment to expand the adult correctional capacity across the province.
Built in the 1850’s and closed in December 2017, the facility could add up to 125 beds when it re-opens.
Mayor Kevin Davis, a former lawyer, recalled visiting the facility often before it shut down. He also toured the facility last year.
“I was actually quite surprised that it’s in reasonably good condition,” said Davis. “It was clear that several years ago, they upgraded the heating and air conditioning system. But it was also clear that there would need to be upgrades to bring the facility up to modern standards.”
Davis explained that the bathrooms and visitation areas for families and lawyers still need some work before the facility’s reopening.
Davis went on to explain the benefits of the facility, which would help people held in pre-trial detention or awaiting trial or a plea after being denied bail.
Davis continued, saying re-integration is also a potential benefit as he believes people are less likely to lose contact with family, friends and other supports if they stay in the Brantford facility.
“You don’t want them losing the networks they have here,” said Davis. “Do you want them more connected to the support that they have here in Brantford, or do you want them more connected to the criminal networks that they would be exposed to being held in Maplehurst?”
Brian Van Tilborg, Councillor for Ward Five, expressed his views on the facility and public safety.
“My expectations begin with seeing that violent and repeat offenders will be taken off the streets and held,” said Van Tilborg. “The change in bail conditions requires that this facility be available, as more repeat offenders and violent offenders will have to make their case on why they should be released, versus released into the community before trial”
Van Tilborg added that he had not received any concerns from constituents since the announcement was made and described the old jail as outdated.
“The old jail was just that, a relic from a time long past,” said Van Tilborg. “There was a good reason for it not to continue, however there was never a good reason not to replace it with something better to serve the community and the people it held.”
Amanda O’Neill, a Brantford resident, said her perspective of the re-opening was shaped by personal experience with people who have been incarcerated.
“If people who are being held for shorter periods could remain closer to Brantford, it could reduce transportation costs and the resources required to move people between facilities,” said O’Neill. “Those resources could then potentially be redirected toward other needs in the community.”
She added that keeping people in Brantford itself, rather than transporting them to Barton or Maplehurst, could make communication easier for those without reliable transportation.
“Maintaining those connections can be extremely important, both for the person who is incarcerated and for their eventual re-integration into the community,” said O’Neill, in a post on social media. “It makes sense to open the jail up; better than shipping everyone to Barton or Maplehurst and doing video court. Or shipping them back and forth for court appearances.”
