The facility was opened in 1985 and operated by the province of Alberta (Correctional Services of the Ministry of Solicitor General and Public Security) as the Grande Cache Correctional Centre[1] until 1995. At that time, Correctional Service of Canada took possession of the property under a long-term lease from the province.[2] The lease was renewed in 2018.[3]
While operated by the province of Alberta, the facility housed a Special Housing Unit.
As a federal institution, it was previously operated as a minimum security prison. However, it was converted to medium security in 2009/2010.
In September of 2022,[4] and again in January of 2024,[5] substantial amounts of contraband were seized in the facility.
Nicolas Hovanesian and Mohammed Karim filed complaints of discrimination in 2015 against the institution.[6]
