5 Things to know about federal prisons and education
- Kate Mitchell
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Correctional Service Canada (“CSC”) recognizes that education is important for rehabilitation and reintegration. Teaching certification and standards are regulated by provinces and territories, so programs may differ between prisons. However, CSC does try to maintain a standard level of service and…
Are parole hearings different for Dangerous Offenders?
- Kate Mitchell
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Dangerous Offenders serving indeterminate sentences are eligible for parole 7 years from the time they were taken into custody. This does not mean that Dangerous Offenders will necessarily receive parole after 7 years. This only means that Dangerous Offenders are entitled…
5 Things to know about CSC’s information sharing obligations
- Kate Mitchell
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Correctional Service Canada is required to provide to certain parties all information under its control that is relevant to release decision-making or the supervision/surveillance of prisoners. This includes the Parole Board of Canada, as well as provincial governments, provincial parole…
What is a file correction?
- Kate Mitchell
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Under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Correctional Service Canada “shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that any information about an offender that it uses is as accurate, up to date and complete as possible.” This provision is part…
5 Things to know about Parole Board of Canada hearings for non-English speakers
- Kate Mitchell
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The Parole Board of Canada offers certain accommodations for prisoners who do not speak English. The Parole Board of Canada can hold hearings in English or French. Prisoners should ensure that their Parole Officer is aware of their preference well…
Which prisoners are still eligible for Accelerated Parole Review?
- Kate Mitchell
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Accelerated Parole Review (“APR”) allows earlier parole for non-violent first-time federal prisoners. Prisoners eligible for APR can be released on parole after serving 1/6 of their sentence or 6 months, whichever is longer. In 2011, APR was abolished. However, the Supreme Court of…
What happens when CSC seizes contraband?
- Kate Mitchell
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Correctional Service Canada (“CSC”) staff members (or medical practioners in the case of body cavity searches) can seize contraband or evidence related to a disciplinary or criminal offence. In addition, employees of community-based residential facilities who conduct authorized searches may seize evidence…
What programs are available for federal prisoners?
- Kate Mitchell
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Prisoners in federal prisons may be able to take both core and voluntary programs. Core programs are those implemented by Correctional Service Canada (“CSC”) that the prisoner’s Parole Officer recommends the prisoner to take. These programs are meant to help prisoners address their…
How does canteen work in provincial jails?
- Kate Mitchell
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Prisoners in provincial jails in Ontario can purchase items from their institution’s canteen. Items must be purchased using money held in the prisoner’s trust account. This account consists of the money the prisoner had in their possession on their admission…
When can CSC search cells?
- Kate Mitchell
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Correctional Service Canada staff members are entitled to search cells and their contents in certain circumstances. However, CSC staff members are only supposed to search cells to the extent reasonably required for security purposes. If a staff member believes on…