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.

On Monday afternooon, Kerzner told the legislature he was “imprecise” in his language.

“I’d like to correct my record without reservation: I inadvertently referenced the immediate re-apprehension of improperly released inmates, rather than clarifying that the local police of jurisdiction were notified immediately,” Kerzner told the legislature

“I apologize unreservedly to the members of this house for providing them with information that was not fully accurate.”

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.

Premier Doug Ford said he was “furious” with the situation and vowed to get to the bottom of the problem, but he stood by Kerzner.

The province has come under fire for the issue over the past week. Interim Liberal leader John Fraser has peppered Kerzner with queries over four question periods, including on Tuesday.

Kerzner repeatedly refused to answer how many criminals have been improperly released since last September.

Last week, Kerzner said at least six times in question period that officials had caught the inmates immediately.

“If there was an improper release, those people are immediately re-apprehended and put back in jail where they belong,” he said on Thursday.

He also said: “It’s very simple, when there was an improper release, those people were re-apprehended instantaneously.”

Kerzner then fired a salvo at Fraser.

“At the end of the day, because my friend across the aisle doesn’t hear very well, I’ll repeat it: Those people that were released improperly are back where they belong, almost instantaneously behind jail,” Kerzner said.

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

Liam Casey, The Canadian Press