‘We must put everyone’s health and safety first as we work to provide offenders with the supports they need’
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is suspending visits as well as temporary absences and work releases from all correctional institutions in Quebec.
The decision is a proactive and preventative measure given that community transmission of the virus has risen in recent days, and it follows extensive consultation with public health officials and will be reassessed on a weekly basis, according to CSC.
“Today’s decision is a proactive one. When we started reinstating some activities at our sites, we were clear that we might need to make rapid changes to adapt to the evolving public health situation in different communities. Institutions are closed living environments and we have learned a lot about COVID-19 and how to mitigate its spread.” said Anne Kelly, commissioner of CSC.
“We recognize these measures may be difficult for offenders and their families. In all our operations, we must put everyone’s health and safety first as we work to provide offenders with the supports they need.”
Offenders will continue to participate in on-site programming and activities that support their rehabilitation, according to CSC. Health services will be maintained and temporary absences for medical and compassionate reasons will continue, as needed. Offenders are encouraged to continue connecting with their families and loved ones by telephone or video visitation.
The additional measures do not currently affect sites in other provinces. This is an evolving situation and we continue to work with public health authorities to monitor the situation and take additional actions, as needed.
There are 10 institutions and six CCCs in Quebec. CSC has a proactive contact tracing protocol, which begins at the onset of symptoms rather than waiting for a positive test result. To date, CSC has trained over 250 staff to conduct contact tracing.
CSC has the appropriate supplies and personal protective equipment at each site, including masks, gloves, gowns and eye protection, it said. All offenders and staff have been provided with non-medical masks and instructed on how to wear them.
A risk management framework and mitigation strategies – developed in collaboration with public health, labour partners and stakeholders – are in place to monitor activities, and CSC said it is ready to adapt its operations at any time.
CSC also communicates regularly with employees, inmates and stakeholders with a focus on public education and prevention.
All sites across the country have implemented extensive health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the wearing masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, active health screening of anyone entering an institution, and increased cleaning and disinfecting. CSC has also conducted infection prevention and control reviews at all of its institutions, built its own contact tracing capacity, and implemented comprehensive COVID-19 testing for inmates and staff.
Recently, Ontario announced it is modernizing the adult correctional system across Eastern Ontario The province also hired 59 new correctional officers who have completed the redesigned Corrections Foundational Training.
