Ontario’s Mistakenly Released Inmates Still Missing

Six inmates who were accidentally let go from Ontario’s jails are still unaccounted for, Premier Doug Ford announced on Tuesday.

Since 2021, over 150 inmates have been wrongly released from the provincial jail system, creating a growing scandal that has haunted the province since last week.

“It’s unacceptable, no excuses,” Ford stated. “We need to tighten things up throughout the ministry.”

Ford vowed that every inmate on the loose would be caught.

Despite these issues, Ford continues to support Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, who oversees the provincial jail system.

Ford mentioned that Kerzner is “doing a great job” with plans to expand the province’s jails.

The tough-on-crime premier expressed his frustration about the situation, saying he communicated to Kerzner, the deputy minister, and “the whole chain” that it was not acceptable.

“It can’t happen again,” Ford remarked.

Inmates still missing months later: documents

On Monday, the solicitor general and his deputy apologized for mistakenly stating that officials had captured all 157 criminals who were erroneously released from Ontario’s jails in recent years.

Kerzner repeatedly claimed last week during question period at Queen’s Park-and afterward to reporters-that those criminals were caught right after being improperly released.

The uncovered through a freedom-of-information request that 157 inmates were improperly let go from jails between 2021 and September 2025.

The documents reveal several inmates remained unaccounted for many months following their release.

Kerzner told legislators he had been “imprecise” in his statements.

“I’d like to correct my record without reservation: I inadvertently referenced the immediate re-apprehension of improperly released inmates instead of clarifying that local police were notified right away,” Kerzner explained in front of lawmakers.

“I apologize unreservedly to members of this house for providing them with information that was not entirely accurate.”

Associate Solicitor General Zee Hamid also offered a similar apology for mistakenly saying every single criminal who was incorrectly released was caught right away.

Liberals demand answers on how many inmates are missing

The province has faced criticism regarding this issue over the past week.

Interim Liberal leader John Fraser grilled Kerzner with questions over four question periods, including one on Tuesday. He kept asking how many inmates were still at large.Interim Liberal leader John Fraser peppered Solicitor General Michael Kerzner with queries over four question periods, including on Tuesday. He repeatedly asked Kerzner how many inmates remained at large. (Alex Lupul/CBC)

Kerzner consistently avoided answering how many criminals have been wrongly released since last September and did not provide details about how many remain on the run.

Soon after question period ended, Ford updated reporters about the situation concerning missing inmates.

Fraser mentioned that Kerzner approached him after their exchange in chamber to share numbers he wouldn’t disclose publicly.

“We hear it from the premier in a scrum after we’ve asked a dozen questions – I don’t have an explanation for that other than he doesn’t know his stuff,” Fraser said. “He shouldn’t be holding this position as minister; if the premier is satisfied with his performance, that’s telling.”

Last week during question period, Kerzner insisted multiple times that officials immediately apprehended those improperly released.

“If there was an improper release, those people are promptly re-apprehended and returned to jail where they belong,” he asserted on Thursday.

He further stated: “It’s very straightforward; when there’s an improper release, those individuals are quickly brought back behind bars.”

Kerzner then took aim at Fraser directly.

“At the end of it all because my friend across aisle doesn’t listen well enough I’ll repeat it: Those people who were wrongly released are back where they belong almost immediately behind bars,” said Kerzner.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles says the solicitor general and ‘the whole government’ should resign. (CBC)

‘Entire government’ should resign according to NDP

The solicitor general along with “the entire government” should step down said New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles.

“This is someone who’s claimed he’s all about law and order while we’ve got inmates running free in our province,” Stiles said.

“And besides that we have a solicitor general who misled Ontarians and won’t take any accountability for this.”

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