THUNDER BAY – It’s anticipated the Thunder Bay District Jail will not resume operations until the new year, says a union official.
The jail began evacuating inmates on Nov. 25 when the nearly 100-year-old building’s boiler failed.
Despite the facility’s backup systems working, inmates still had to be evacuated in the event the backup systems were to also fail.
At that time, about 180 inmates had to be relocated to other correctional facilities across the province.
On Wednesday, Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union Local 737 president Anthony Rojik told Newswatch planning and repairs to the heating system were underway.
“There is no firm timeline on completion,” he said. “However, I anticipate that we will not resume operations until the new year.”
Rojik represents more than 150 correctional staff members at the Thunder Bay District Jail.
This was the first time in the district jail’s history it had to be evacuated.
