Ontario’s Correctional Services to Deploy More Drug-Detecting Dogs
Ontario’s jails, detention, and correctional centers are gearing up to enhance their security measures with the introduction of four new drug-detecting canines. These highly trained dogs are adept at sniffing out even the smallest quantities of various drugs.
Michael Pernal, a senior manager in the specialized operations unit for Correctional Services, reveals that the canines have been instrumental in conducting over 2,000 successful searches across the province in the past year, consistently uncovering contraband items.
The expansion of the program, long in the making, is set to allocate specific dogs to certain jails, allowing them to focus on areas with higher instances of drug activity. This move is part of the broader initiative outlined in the Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026.
Contraband smuggling has been a persistent challenge in Ontario’s correctional facilities, leading to a range of issues such as violence, overdoses, and hospitalizations. While inmates undergo thorough screening procedures, staff and visitors are only randomly searched, highlighting the need for enhanced detection methods.
The drug-detecting dogs are trained to detect minuscule amounts of drugs that may go unnoticed in traditional searches. This capability is crucial in maintaining a safe and contraband-free environment within the institutions.
James Powell, a veteran correctional officer, commends the effectiveness of the dogs in locating even the tiniest quantities of drugs, underscoring their vital role in ensuring the safety of the facilities. The addition of more canines is seen as a long overdue yet welcome measure by officers like Peter Figliola, who emphasize the positive impact on staff and inmate safety.
Expanding the canine program is not just about combating drug trafficking but also about addressing the escalating violence within the facilities. The presence of these trained dogs is expected to mitigate drug-related incidents and improve overall security.
If the proposed legislation passes, the Ministry aims to have the new canine teams operational early next year, marking a significant advancement in bolstering security measures within Ontario’s correctional institutions.
Keyphrase: Correctional Services Ontario