COVID-19 and medical isolation in prison
- Kate Mitchell
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In response to COVID-19, Correctional Service Canada has enacted various policies. One of these policies allows for medical isolation to avoid prisoners who have the virus spreading it to others. Medical isolation is required for: Prisoners coming into prison (following…
What happens if a federal prisoner gets into trouble before being released on parole?
- Kate Mitchell
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The Parole Board of Canada may grant a prisoner parole, but the prisoner may not be released for several days or weeks. Prisoners may need to wait for a bed at a Community Residential Facility to open up, transportation to…
Can prisoners challenge a penitentiary placement?
- Kate Mitchell
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Federal prisoners are assessed over several weeks or months after they are transferred to a federal penitentiary. The prisoner’s parole officer then recommends a security classification (minimum, medium, or maximum) and penitentiary to place the prisoner in. The final classification/placement…
Prisoners and the media
- Kate Mitchell
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Federal prisoners and media should be aware that Correctional Service Canada has a policy on media relations. Media representatives are supposed to inform CSC prior to conducting media activities, including interviews. Prisoners are also responsible for updating their Parole Officers…
4 Things to know about judicially reviewing decisions of Correctional Service Canada
- Kate Mitchell
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Judicial review is one of the the mechanisms that prisoners can use to challenge decisions of Correctional Service Canada. Judicial review can be technical, and it is important to remember: Judicial review allows a judge to review an administrative decision….
5 Grounds to challenge a decision of the Parole Board of Canada
- Kate Mitchell
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A prisoner can challenge a decision of the Parole Board of Canada by filing an appeal with the Appeal Division. This typically needs to be done within 60 days from when the decision was made. Prisoners can challenge a denial…
What can a prisoner do if denied parole?
- Kate Mitchell
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In the provincial and federal correctional systems, prisoners can appeal if they are denied parole. The appeal needs to be sent to the Parole Board of Canada’s Appeal Division (for federal prisoners) or to the Chair of the Ontario Parole…
Are victims involved in parole hearings?
- Kate Mitchell
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Victims have the option to participate in hearings before the Ontario Parole Board and the Parole Board of Canada. Note that victim is a broad category that refers to any individual who has suffered physical or emotional harm, property damage…
What happens when prisoners breach their parole conditions?
- Kate Mitchell
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Prisoners who are granted parole by the Parole Board of Canada (i.e. prisoners serving sentence of 2 years or more) or the Ontario Parole Board (i.e prisoners serving sentences of less than 2 years) must abide by any conditions imposed…
What is accelerated parole review (“APR”)?
- Kate Mitchell
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Accelerated parole review (“APR”) is a simplified parole review procedure for federal prisoners. It was repealed several years ago, but prisoners may still be eligible if they were sentenced before March 27, 2011. Generally, prisoners have an in-person hearing before…