Brookside Youth Centre
| Location | 390 King St W, Cobourg, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Status | Closed |
| Capacity | 16 (reported capacity in 2019–20) |
| Opened | 1930s (as a training school); 1948 (boys' training school) |
| Closed | 13 February 2021 |
| Managed by | Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services |
Brookside Youth Centre was a provincial secure juvenile detention centre in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. It operated on a multi-building campus. It closed on 13 February 2021.[1]
History
The property includes the historic Strathmore House, which later served as Brookside's administration building.[2] The institution began as a training school for girls in the 1930s, was converted to a training school for boys in 1948, and later functioned as a secure custody/detention centre for male youth.[3][4]
Facility
By 2019–20 Brookside had a reported operational budget of roughly CAD $9–10 million and a capacity of about 16 beds; at the time of its closure it held very few youth.[1] The site comprised multiple buildings on a large property and was managed by the provincial ministry responsible for children, community and social services.[5]
Abuse allegations
Survivors and news reporting have alleged widespread physical, sexual and psychological abuse at Brookside and at related Ontario "training schools."[6] Those include allegations of sexual assault and other criminal conduct by staff reported by former residents and referenced in litigation.[7]
Class action
A province-wide class action and many individual lawsuits have asserted that Ontario training schools, including Brookside, exposed youth to systemic abuse and negligence; these claims seek damages for physical, sexual and psychological injuries.[8]
Reporting and survivor testimony indicate the harms described were long-standing, and that some former residents faced barriers to redress, including difficulties with records and timelines; legal proceedings and advocacy groups have sought compensation and public acknowledgement of harms.[6][9]
Escapes
In August 2012 a youth escaped from Brookside. Three staff members were disciplined after chasing them as it goes against procedure to chase once the youth is outside of the property line.[10]
Closure
The Government of Ontario announced Brookside's closure in February 2021, citing low occupancy and high operating costs; the closure resulted in layoffs of staff.[1] The property was later listed for sale by Infrastructure Ontario and was reported as sold to a private developer in late 2024.[11] Since closure the site has been the focus of local discussion regarding reuse, encampments and demolition planning.[12]
See also
- List of correctional facilities in Ontario
- List of youth detention center incidents in Ontario
- List of youth detention centre incidents in Canada
References
- ^ a b c Staff (15 February 2021). "Ontario shuts down 'heavily underutilized' Brookside Youth Centre in Cobourg". Global News. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Strathmore (Brookside School) - Cobourg". OurOntario (Cobourg collection). Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ Staff (13 February 2021). "Brookside Youth Centre in Cobourg closes after more than 70 years". Today's Northumberland. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Brookside: New Beginnings". Watershed Magazine. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Brookside Youth Centre in Canada". Global Detention Project. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ a b Brown, Daniel (as told to Liz Beatty) (22 October 2024). "I spent eight months locked up in an Ontario reform school — the abuse I endured almost destroyed me". Toronto Life. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Second Fresh as Amended Statement of Claim (Brookside and other training schools)" (PDF). Koskie Minsky / court filing (PDF). Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Class action for Brookside Training School survivors (discussion and reporting)" (PDF). Class Action News. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Cecil Facer class action suit moves to settlement phase". VillageReport. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Brookside union VP suspended for talking to Today about escape". Northumberland News. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
- ^ Staff (2 December 2024). "'SOLD': New owner for historic Brookside property in Cobourg". BrightonToday / Today's Northumberland. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "New encampment set up at former Brookside property in Cobourg". Canada-Info. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2025.