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“Ottawa per capita is probably the worst off institution staffing-wise right now in Ontario,” said Collin.

“(Inmates) basically are left in their cells for 24 hours a day because in that situation we can’t even afford to be able to give these guys fresh air. You do that for any period of time and the tension builds up fairly quickly,” said Collin. “You can feel it, it’s in the air. You can sometimes cut the tension with a knife.”

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services was unable to confirm how many lockdowns have occurred in July. It said the number won’t be available until mid-to-late August.

But Collin said staffing shortages due to the lack of hiring by the ministry has led to not enough employees to cover for vacations or sick days.

The shortages are leaving less time for searches, leading to even more lockdowns as correctional officers try to catch up.

“Our main concern is the necessities of life. When you are in lockdown mode it is as acute as going to a night shift mode where basically we’re making sure everyone is alive, everyone is safe, everyone is being fed and the bare necessities are being provided at the institution,” said Collin.

By the numbers:

Lockdowns at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre by month in 2015

January: Partial 3, Full 0

February: Partial 7, Full 5

March: Partial 4, Full 2

April: Partial 1, Full 1

May: Partial 2, Full 8

June: Partial 8, Full 4

The spike comes after Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services statistics released earlier this year showed lockdowns due to staffing shortages had soared over the past three years. After only four lockdowns due to staffing shortages in 2012, the number increased tenfold by 2014 and is now on pace to more than double in 2015.