Ontario's solicitor general sorry for saying improperly released inmates were caught

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner speaks during a press conference at the Toronto Police College in Etobicoke, Ont., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

TORONTO — Ontario’s solicitor general and his No. 2 have apologized for “inadvertently” saying officials apprehended all 157 criminals who were mistakenly released from the province’s jails over the past five years.

Michael Kerzner repeatedly said last week during question period at Queen’s Park, and afterward to journalists, that the criminals were caught immediately after being improperly released.

Kerzner says he meant to say local police were notified immediately.

Global News discovered through a freedom-of-information request that 157 inmates were improperly released from the province’s jails between 2021 and 2025.

The documents show several inmates remained unaccounted for months after their release.

Associate Solicitor General Zee Hamid has also made a near-identical apology for “inadvertently” saying every single criminal who was mistakenly released was caught immediately.

RELATED STORIES:

• ‘I’m absolutely furious’: Ford promises no more inmates will be improperly released from jail
• Doug Ford vows to find out how Ontario’s jails improperly released more than 150 inmates

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2026.

Liam Casey, The Canadian Press