Ministry of the Attorney General
Province Expanding Bail Programs and Hiring More Prosecutors and Court Staff
Barrie, ON – Feb 27, 2017
Ontario is moving forward with its plan to make the criminal justice system faster and fairer by implementing programs to help reduce time-to-trial and improve the bail system in Simcoe County.
The plan will enhance public safety by making it possible to resolve criminal cases faster and by making more supports and supervision available to vulnerable, low-risk individuals who come in contact with the law.
In Simcoe County, the province is:
•Hiring one new dedicated bail vettor Crown attorney to the Barrie courthouse to facilitate faster bail decisions and early resolutions.
•Assigning one new duty counsel bail coordinator to the Barrie courthouse to help expedite the bail process and ensure meaningful decisions are made.
•Providing safe, supportive and supervised housing for vulnerable accused people who require enhanced supervision in the community, by adding up to 10 bail beds in Barrie by April 2017.
•Expanding the Bail Verification and Supervision Program to Bracebridge to increase supervision and support available to low-risk individuals before their trial.
•Enhancing the existing Bail Verification and Supervision Program in Barrie to include increased eligibility for services and mental health services.
In addition, the ministry is working with the Barrie Native Friendship Centre to develop an Indigenous support service enhancement position to provide culturally appropriate bail services to Indigenous people living in Simcoe County.
Improving Ontario’s criminal justice system is part of our plan to keep communities safe and help people in their everyday lives.
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