COVID-19 and Elder-assisted hearings
- February 19, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Parole Board of Canada hearings have generally moved to WebEx, which has created some challenges. For example, Elder-assisted hearings may not be available for Indigenous prisoners. In Elder-assisted hearings, those involved traditionally sit in a circle and an Elder is…
COVID-19: 5 Reasons why it’s important to vaccinate prisoners
- January 8, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
The federal government announced its plan to vaccinate 600 elderly and vulnerable federal prisoners. The Correctional Service of Canada has begun vaccinating prisoners, which is an important step to help control the spread of COVID-19, both in prisons and the…
COVID-19: How soon can suspended federal prisoners get a post-suspension hearing?
- January 1, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
If a federal prisoner on parole or statutory release is suspended, the prisoner will be taken into custody. If the suspension isn’t cancelled by Correctional Service Canada, then the prisoner will have a post-suspension hearing before the Parole Board of…
COVID-19: How to stay in touch with federal prisoners
- December 26, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
In response to outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons, Correctional Service Canada has suspended in-person visits in many areas. That said, friends and family still have other ways of contacting prisoners: Mail. As a precaution, mail is generally being quarantined for…
COVID-19: Modified routines for health purposes in prison
- December 19, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
In addition to placing prisoners in medical isolation, wardens in federal institutions also have the authority to implement a modified routine for health purposes. Modified routines are implemented to restrict movement within part of or an entire prison to contain…
6 Things to know about COVID-19 and visiting prisoners
- November 15, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
COVID-19 has impacted Correctional Service Canada’s visiting procedures. Below are a few points to remember before visiting: Not all prisons are allowing visits. Depending on local transmission, some institutions may not be allowing visitors. Check online to see whether the…
COVID-19 and medical isolation in prison
- September 26, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
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…
Prisons’ responses to COVID-19 may breach Charter rights
- July 11, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Correctional authorities are responsible for the health and safety of inmates. This is a statutory duty of Correctional Service Canada (for federal inmates) and the Ministry of Corrections (for provincial inmates). Outbreaks in correctional institutions across Canada raise the issue…
Is COVID-19 relevant to parole decision-making?
- June 7, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Since the pandemic began, we’ve been making the argument that COVID-19 is relevant to parole decision-making. Recent case law has confirmed that the Parole Board of Canada and provincial parole boards are expected to consider the impacts of COVID-19. According…
COVID-19 and refusal to consider parole by exception applications
- May 30, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Prisoners have their day and full parole eligibility dates calculated at intake. These eligibility dates are generally the earliest the Parole Board of Canada will release a prisoner. However, prisoners can also apply for parole by exception if: a) They…