COVID-19 and grounds for applying for a Temporary Absence Permit
- Kate Mitchell
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Provincial inmates looking to get released into the community before their parole eligibility date can apply for Temporary Absences Permits (“TAPs”). A TAP is a privilege granted for a particular purpose. The grounds for applying for a TAP are listed on the Temporary Absence Application:
- Education
- Treatment (medical)
- Compassionate (humanitarian)
- Community work
- Employment
- Rehabilitation
- Reintegration
- Other
Inmates can check off one or more grounds in their application. The COVID-19 outbreak may provide a basis to apply for a TAP on some of these grounds, specifically:
Treatment (medical): Inmates who contract COVID-19 may be able to apply to ensure that they can receive adequate treatment. Recovery can take days to weeks, and TAPs can allow inmates to receive a level of medical care that may not be available in jail.
Compassionate (humanitarian): Jails and prisons are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. Inmates who are concerned about contracting COVID-19, are highly susceptible to it, and/or have relatives in need of care or assistance may want to apply for a TAP on compassionate grounds. The compassionate ground may also be invoked by any inmate wishing to self-isolate in his/her community to help slow the transmission or COVID-19 and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
Other: COVID-19 is a novel situation, so this category should be checked off for any inmate seeking a TAP for a COVID-19-related reason.
It must be “necessary or desirable” to grant the TAP, and public safety is always the paramount consideration. While releasing inmates on TAPs may have impacts on public safety, continuing to incarcerate a large number of inmates also impacts public health and safety.
If you need assistance with a TAP application or appeal of a TAP denial, contact us.