The Honourable Michael Kerzner

Minister of the Solicitor General

Ministry of the Solicitor General

25 Grosvenor Street, 18th Floor

Toronto, Ontario  M7A 1Y6

From:

Daylo Robinson et al., private citizens of Canada with direct knowledge of conditions inside the Mental Health Assessment Units (NHAU) and Special Needs Units (SNU) at the Toronto South Detention Centre.

Date: April 14, 2026

We, the undersigned residents of Canada, respectfully petition the Ministry of the Solicitor General to immediately address the critical gaps in compensation, training, equipment, and officer wellness supports for correctional officers assigned to the Mental Health Assessment Units (NHAU) and Special Needs Units (SNU) at the Toronto South Detention Centre.

Correctional officers working these specialized units perform duties that far exceed the scope of standard correctional officer responsibilities. They are required to provide constant, high-intensity care and supervision for inmates experiencing severe mental health crises, self-harm behaviours, and complex special needs. These officers routinely manage situations involving 24-hour behavioural observation, crisis intervention, and the mitigation of profound human suffering—work that demands specialized skills, emotional resilience, and physical endurance not required in general population units.

Current Conditions and Hardships

Officers on these units face extreme and unrelenting challenges, including:

•  The persistent presence of feces, urine, and other bodily fluids on ranges for up to 24 hours a day;

•  Overpowering odours and biohazards;

•  Constant, deafening banging on cell doors;

•  Inmates who are detached from reality screaming, yelling, and talking to themselves throughout the day and night;

•  Repeated exposure to self-harm incidents and suicide attempts.

These conditions create an environment of chronic stress and trauma that is not adequately recognized or compensated under current pay scales.

Specific Requests

1.  Specialized Pay Premium
We request the immediate implementation of a dedicated hourly or monthly wage premium for all officers assigned to NHAU and SNU units. This premium must reflect the additional duties, hazards, and emotional labour performed beyond standard correctional officer responsibilities.

2.  Enhanced Training
We call for mandatory, intensive, and ongoing training programs that include:

 •  Compassionate communication and de-escalation techniques specifically designed for individuals in acute mental health crises;

 •  Crisis intervention and mental health first aid;

 •  Trauma-informed care and cultural competency for diverse special-needs populations.
Training must be delivered by qualified mental health professionals and refreshed annually.

3.  Equipment and Infrastructure Upgrades

 •  Installation of 24-hour enhanced monitoring systems with ergonomic, officer-comfort-focused workstations and viewing stations to reduce physical strain during continuous observation;

 •  Procurement of portable game systems and recreational equipment that can be safely rolled to each cell door for daily inmate access (replacing the current inadequate schedule of only two hours of recreation every four days);

 •  Construction and immediate use of padded safety cells for inmates exhibiting self-harm tendencies.

4.  Daily Meaningful One-on-One Interactions
We request the establishment of a minimum standard of daily, documented, one-on-one meaningful interactions between officers and inmates in their care, replacing the current insufficient and infrequent contact.

5.  Officer Mental Health Supports
We demand immediate access to confidential, on-site or readily available mental health counselling and trauma support services for all NHAU and SNU officers. These supports must be funded by the Ministry and protected from any stigma or career repercussions.

The officers who work these units perform an essential public service under extraordinarily difficult conditions. They deserve fair compensation, proper tools, specialized training, and the same level of care and compassion they are expected to provide to the vulnerable individuals in their charge.

We therefore urge the Ministry of the Solicitor General to:

(a) approve the specialized pay premium within 90 days;

(b) implement the required training curriculum and equipment upgrades within 180 days; and

(c) establish dedicated mental health supports for these officers without delay.

Signatures

We, the undersigned, support this petition:

Name (printed) | Signature | Date | Postal Code

 

 

 

 

Contact for the Lead Petitioner:

Daylo Robinson

Daylorobinson@outlook.com

Stacey Pollock

s.pollock1992.777@outlook.com

6473022250

This petition may be circulated publicly and presented to the Minister, the Ontario Legislature, and relevant oversight bodies.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter of workplace safety, mental health equity, and humane correctional practice.