COVID-19 and Parole Board of Canada policy changes
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
In response to COVID-19, the Parole Board of Canada has adopted some interim measures. Many of the changes are simply procedural. Hearings are now conducted via videoconference or teleconference, observers are not allowed to attend (except for victims), and lawyers…
COVID-19 and medical unescorted temporary absences
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Unlike in the provincial correctional system, there haven’t been any substantial changes in the federal correctional system to help decarcerate prisons and slow the spread of COVID-19. However, there are still mechanisms in place that could be used to get…
“Out of prison, but then where? Canada’s halfway houses brace for COVID-19 releases with fewer beds and uncertainty”
- Kate Mitchell
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On April 20, 2020, Simon Borys was quoted in The Star on how COVID-19 is impacting the availability of beds in halfway houses, see story here. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and outcomes will vary according to…
COVID-19 and delays in transferring prisoners to federal institutions
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Because of COVID-19, prisoners may experience delays being transferred to federal institutions. Offenders who are sentenced to 2 years or more are supposed to serve their sentences in federal institutions. Generally, prisoners with federal sentences are supposed to be held…
COVID-19 and cancellation of leave privileges
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Prisoners, parolees, and those under long-term supervision orders residing at Community Correctional Centers (“CCCs”) and Community Residential Facilities (“CRF”) have been seeing their leave privileges cancelled in light of COVID-19. Correctional Service Canada appears to be directing (at least some)…
COVID-19: Legal Aid Ontario updates coverage for prisoner release remedies
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Legal Aid Ontario recently announced changes to its funding for temporary absence applications for prisoners in federal and provincial institutions. The funding now applies to temporary absences or “other release remedies” that can address the increasingly dangerous conditions COVID-19 has…
COVID-19 and scheduling a habeas corpus application
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Habeas corpus can be used to challenge a deprivation of liberty, and it requires that an application be brought in the Superior Court. COVID-19 presents unique challenges to anyone looking to bring such an application. In light of COVID-19, the…
COVID-19 and suspension of institutional programming
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Correctional Service Canada has been suspending programming in institutions across the country. Programming is meant to assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners, and it’s important for lowering prisoners’ risk factors. Providing programming…
COVID-19 and Legal Aid Ontario funding for Temporary Absence Permit applications
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Legal Aid Ontario is now allowing lawyers to apply for funding for clients seeking Temporary Absence Permits (“TAPs”). TAPs enable inmates serving sentences of less than 2 years to be released into the community…
COVID-19 and day parole to a private residence
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s worth remembering that inmates can be granted day parole to a private residence. Under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Parole Board of Canada can grant day parole to a penitentiary/jail, community-based residential facility,…