Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre

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The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre is a correctional facility in Ottawa, Ontario. It opened in 1972.ConditionsThe jail was condemned for not meeting United Nations standards for treatment of prisoners. In 2004, a defence lawyer likened it to an "Iraqi prison camp." Some inmates are triple-bunked because of lack of space and overcrowding at the facility. In 2016 it was revealed that showers were used as segregation cells. The Ottawa Citizen revealed this fact and the Minister responsible, Yasir Naqvi stopped the practice.Inmates were put into solitary confinement 555 times between April and September 2015. Critics called these numbers "shocking".In January 2016, correctional officers were within 24 hours of going on strike. The concerns raised by union members were increased lockdowns, a lack of personal and professional visits and a complete lockdown with no yard.A six-day hunger strike by prisoners occurred in December 2015. Prisoners were upset about having to eat meals in their cells due to lack of staffing at the prison.In 2016, a special task force wrote a report with 42 recommendations to improve conditions. The prison fulfilled 11 of these as of October 2016. They included a review of mental health training for staff and the introduction of a prisoner transportation coordinator to help prevent overcrowding.Notable IncidentsIn March 2016 an inmate collapsed and died of a heart attack after complaining that they felt unwell.