Local residents launch initiative to save prime agricultural land and heritage farm buildings at planned prison site
The Coalition Against Proposed Prisons (CAPP) began as a grassroots community effort to stop a 235-bed prison the Ford government announced it would build on the grounds of the former Kemptville Agricultural College (KAC) farm in August 2020, without prior consultation with the municipality or its residents. Last year, CAPP expanded its fight through the launch of the #NOPE | No Ontario Prison Expansion campaign, with the aim of enacting a province-wide prison construction moratorium, which has been endorsed by over 85 organizations to date.
Alongside its provincial campaign, CAPP is also returning to its roots with the launch of the new Kemptville Prison Watch (KPW) initiative. KPW aims to monitor developments and compliance with relevant laws and by-laws regarding the planned Kemptville prison. This includes holding governments to account for violations of the municipality’s official plan, zoning by-laws and other regulations prior to and, if the prison moves ahead, during the construction process to save farmland. Should the facility open, KPW will monitor violations of the constitutional and human rights of imprisoned people.
If you are resident of Kemptville or Eastern Ontario living on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory and wish to get involved, email cappkemptville@gmail.com today!
To learn more about the latest developments concerning the planned Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex and Kemptville Prison Watch check-out the press release and videos below.
Press Releases:
May 19, 2026 – CAPP launches Kemptville Prison Watch – New initiative calls on the Municipality of North Grenville to prevent the Ford government’s demolition by neglect of the former Kemptville Agricultural College farm buildings and arena where the province wants to build a prison
September 8, 2026 – Local group demands release of municipal by-law inspection of the former Kemptville Agricultural College farm where the Ford government plans to build a prison – Town residents are concerned that heritage farm buildings are being demolished by neglect despite a previous commitment by the province to preserve parts of the site for municipal use
April 2026: Is a Mega-Prison Coming to Kemptville?
April 2026: Is the Ford Government Being Transparent About Its Kemptville Prison Plan?
May 2026: Save Don’t Pave Farmland to Build a Prison Premier Ford!
May 2026: Demolition by Neglect – The Kemptville Agricultural College Farm / (Peck-)Ford Mega-Prison Edition