5 Things to know about CSC’s information sharing obligations
- April 29, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
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?
- April 23, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
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…
What happens when CSC seizes contraband?
- April 1, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
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?
- March 25, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
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…
When can CSC search cells?
- March 12, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
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…
5 Things to know about statutory release residency conditions
- February 12, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
The Parole Board of Canada has the power to impose conditions on federal prisoners on statutory release. Below are a few things to know about the Board’s powers with respect to residency conditions: The Board can impose a residency condition…
5 Things to know about Long-Term Supervision Orders
- February 5, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
In certain circumstances, individuals who are convicted of a criminal offence (or offences) can be subjected to a Long-Term Supervision Order (“LTSO”). An LTSO can be made if an individual has committed an offence and it would be appropriate to…
Can a suspended federal prisoner be held past their new statutory release date?
- January 29, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
When a federal prisoner who is on parole or statutory release is suspended, the prisoner is taken into custody and must await a post-suspension hearing. If revoked, the prisoner’s statutory release date is recalculated. The Corrections and Conditional Release Regulation (“CCRR“) only…
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…