Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government will build the largest number of prisons as needed

"Keeping criminals behind bars for a long time."

This came after Ford was asked about overcrowding in Ontario prisons during a press conference in Milton this morning.

Data obtained by the Canadian press through freedom of information laws shows that the majority of Ontario prisons have exceeded their capacity

The data also showed that the vast majority of inmates in provincial prisons are awaiting trial and are presumed innocent

Ford said he is not concerned about "criminals" but supports prison staff and is committed to giving them the resources they need, including building more prisons.

The Premier has intensified his messages against crime in recent weeks and has been criticized by the legal profession and the opposition after he said his government wants like-minded judges "to be tougher on accused criminals."