The school (essentially a juvenile reformatory) emphasized child rescue, reform through character development, moral and academic education, and vocational training.
The following is an excerpt from Superintendent Hendrie's first annual report: It seemed a curious undertaking to erect a school for these waifs without bar or cell or hardly a whip, but the lads appear to have dropped into the groove at once, there having been but three attempts to escape.
This school differs from a reformatory in that it is in no sense a prison, and the boys are not sent down as criminals, neither are they turned loose upon the world at the expiration of a fixed term, but are apprenticed to some trusty farmer or mechanic... Poor 'bags of bones', found in a deplorable state, have acquired the home feeling and habits of industry and obedience in the kindly atmosphere of the School.
The Toronto Central Prison closed and the newly built Ontario Reformatory-Guelph - known today as the Guelph Correctional Centre - assumed responsibility for the brickyard.
The Alex G. Brown Memorial Clinic opened on site in the old 'Beverly Jones Cottage' (left over from the Victoria Industrial School).
Building 2, as an annex of the Alex G. Brown Clinic, was used to house sexual deviates, screened at the Ontario Reformatory-Millbrook.
Industry at Mimico showed an annual output of 275,000 bricks; 12 tons of tile; 4829 slippers; 700 boot/shoe repairs; 662 picnic tables; 449 rolls of snow fence; as well as a number of fireplace grills and flag-poles.
Ontario Brick and Tile Company was closed following pressure from outside labour unions that argued that the plant was taking jobs from their members.
The part of the property that was formally the Victoria Industrial School for Boys was sold to the Borough of Etobicoke (currently the site of former Toronto Police 21 Division and Ourland Park).
The first six years he worked at Burwash where his annual salary was $1,125 for an 11-hour day shift and 13 hours on night duty, with no overtime.
In 1927, he went to Mimico in response to an urgent request from Superintendent Jim Elliott, a friend who needed a records clerk and wanted Harry for the job.
When the Second World War began, Harry joined a Toronto militia unit so he could stay at Mimico, which was being turned into an internment camp for German prisoners.
The Day Sergeant, who lived in a nearby room where guns were also stored, heard the scuffle and entered the hall carrying a pistol.
"Being the senior officer on duty, I went into the rest area, pulled out a pad and began to record the names of all inmates I recognized.
The death knell for Mimico as a large farming operation was sounded in 1967 when 160 acres (0.6 km2) were sold to the Borough of Etobicoke for an industrial park.
1994 Mimico Detention Centre was opened for maximum-security remand inmates and Building 2 was closed for renovations.
(February) Correctional Officers and support staff went on strike for 5 weeks in a bid to improve job security and increase wages that had not kept pace with inflation in over 12 years.
Intermittent inmates serve their sentences in instalments, typically on weekends and remain at large in the community the remainder of the time.
2004 The Toronto Youth Assessment Centre was shut down amidst controversy surrounding the conditions of the facility.
Queen's Park — The McGuinty government today announced plans to close the Toronto Youth Assessment Centre by a target date of June 30.
"I've visited the facility and it is totally unsuitable for youth in conflict with the law," said Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
"This government will continue to work to ensure that youth in the province's custody are treated in a humane, safe and secure way," Kwinter added.
"By making the decision to close the centre, we are bringing real, positive change to Ontario's youth."
The McGuinty government is committed to meaningful rehabilitation for youth in conflict with the law, to help build strong, safe and vital communities in Ontario.
[2] Phase 1 of the new facility, the 320 bed Toronto Intermittent Centre is completed and beings accepting prisoners on December 9, 2011.
[2] The Mimico Correctional Centre provided the location for numerous movies and television shows including: