notified whenever inmates are mistakenly released from custody, raising further questions about the government’s delayed response to the issue.
According to officials, when an improper release occurs, police are immediately alerted and an internal incident report is sent to senior personnel within the ministry. Victims are also notified where applicable. These disclosures contradict earlier suggestions that authorities were only recently becoming aware of the scale of the problem.
More than 150 inmates were accidentally released from Ontario jails between 2021 and 2025, with some remaining at large for extended periods. Despite this, Michael Kerzner had stated he needed time to “get to the bottom” of the issue, even though briefing materials had already been provided to his office in early 2025.
Premier Doug Ford and Kerzner have both acknowledged that the number of accidental releases is “too high” and have promised further investigation into systemic failures within correctional and court processes.