Toronto West Detention Centre

Infobox Prison
prison_name = Toronto West Detention Centre


location = 111 Disco Rd, Toronto, Ontario
coordinates =
status = Operational
classification = Maximum
capacity = 631
opened = 1970s
closed =
managed_by = Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
director = Superintendent Paul Greer

The Toronto West Detention Centre, often referred to as simply The West, is a maximum security remand facility located in Rexdale, a community located in the north-west corner of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The facility was known as the Metro West Detention Centre until Rexdale became part of the newly amalgamated City of Toronto in 1998.

With a designed capacity for 631 prisoners, [ [http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/corr_serv/adult_off/facilities_lists/det_centres.html Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services - Detention Centres] ] the Toronto West Detention Centre currently houses adult males who have been remanded into custody while awaiting trial or sentencing, are serving short sentences, or are awaiting transfer to federal or provincial correctional facilities. [ [http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/corr_serv/adult_off/facilities.html Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services - Facilities] ] Over the years the Toronto West Detention Centre has at times also housed female and juvenile offenders. From October 1997 through January 1999 the facility underwent extensive retrofitting of its security systems using up-to-date technology. [ [http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/corr_serv/mod_system/new_const.html Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services - Modernizing the System] ]

In January 2008, staff at the prison staged a walk out in protest of three correctional officers being disciplined for failing to notice actions later seen on security cameras. [Etobicoke Guardian, [http://www.insidetoronto.com/News/Etobicoke/article/39335 Etobicoke maximum security detention centre in lockdown after staff walk out] , January 16 2008]

Notable prisoners

*Abdullah Khadr, awaiting extradition, 2004-current. [Toronto Star, [http://www.thestar.com/article/424733 $500,000 paid for capture of Khadr] , 13 May 2008]
*Laurie Bembenek, also known as Bambi Bembenek.
*Karlheinz Schreiber, the German-Canadian businessman who is embroiled in a dispute with former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. [National Post, [http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=450577 Karlheinz Schreiber free again on bail] 17 April 2008]
*Hassan Almrei, a Syrian national, who came to Canada in 1999 on a forged passport and is alleged to have been involved in an al Qaeda forgery ring. [CTV Television Network, [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051106/almrei_thomson_051106?s_name=&no_ads= Canada criticized for Hassan Almrei detention] , 06 November 2005]

See also

Correctional facilities of Ontario, Canada

References