COVID-19 Planning for Federal Corrections

Date: May 3, 2021

Classification: Unclassified

Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes

Branch/Agency: CSC

Issue:

The Correctional Service of Canada has implemented a number of measures to protect the inmate population from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Proposed Response:

Background:

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has implemented a number of measures to protect staff and the inmate population from COVID-19.

Current Measures

Cases among Inmates

In the Prairie region, there are 44 cases. In the Ontario region, there is one case. In the Quebec region, there are 12 cases. To date, there have been five COVID-19-related deaths in federal Institutions.

Personal Protective Equipment

CSC continues to take exceptional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in all CSC institutions to limit the risk to inmates and staff, including having everyone at sites wear masks. Additional personal protective equipment is available to employees that need it, including health care staff.

Vaccinations

On January 8, 2021, CSC began vaccinating inmates against COVID-19, in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Clinics were organized by medical staff to ensure elderly, medically vulnerable inmates were able to access the vaccine.

CSC has completed its first phase of COVID-19 vaccinations. In phase I, vaccines were administered at the following institutions:

The NACI has identified people living and working in congregate living environments, such as correctional institutions and Community Correctional Centres (CCCs), as priority populations for phase II of the vaccine rollout. Since mid-April, CSC has been vaccinating federal offenders who have not already received the vaccination in 43 institutions and 14 CCCs. The vaccine is also being offered to employees in correctional institutions and CCCs who work closely with offenders and have not yet been identified as eligible for vaccination by their province.

CSC anticipates having the majority of offenders vaccinated with the first dose by early May 2021. The second dose will follow in accordance with the NACI guidelines, no later than four months following the administration of the first dose.

Suspension of Visits to Institutions

CSC is monitoring the situation closely as it evolves and will adjust its approach in consultation with public health partners across the country. At the first sign of one case of transmission at a site, non-essential staff and visitors will no longer be allowed in that site until the outbreak is contained. The list of institutions affected by closures can be found here.

Visitors will be restricted access to institutions if they are visiting an institution in an area that is identified as being moderate to high risk in accordance with CSC’s National COVID-19 Risk Management Framework, or where inter- and intra-provincial travel restrictions apply.

Offenders will continue to participate in on-site programming and activities that support their rehabilitation. 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.

Video Visitation

Since the beginning of the pandemic, CSC has installed more video visitation kiosks across the country. In addition, CSC has expanded the hours for which video visits are available at several sites and has increased the bandwidth to support their use.

In addition to having access to phone calls, inmates can visit by live video using virtual technology on an institutional computer. This allows inmates to develop and maintain family and community ties when in-person visits are not possible.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 57 video visitation kiosks were available to inmates across CSC’s institutions. This number has since increased by 78%, with 102 video visitation kiosks now available. On average, 223 video visitation sessions are held each day across the country in CSC’s institutions, a significant increase from the 41 sessions held on average daily pre-pandemic.

Release of Offenders

While being a full participant in the Canada-wide public health effort to fight COVID-19, CSC continues to fulfill its obligations with respect to the care and custody of inmates to prepare them for safe release into the community.

CSC and the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) continue to process eligible inmates for release in accordance with the law. A number of considerations go into release decision-making with public safety being the paramount consideration. COVID-19 and other health related issues are only one of the many considerations taken into account when releasing offenders into the community. 

CSC, in consultation with PBC, has worked to streamline the case preparation process for offenders. In addition, PBC is working to ensure cases are dealt with as expeditiously as possible, while continuing to use risk- and evidence-based decision-making.

Since the beginning of March 2020, the federal custody population has declined by 1,558 inmates (as of April 25, 2021). This reduction is the result of fewer admissions from the provinces and territories, coupled with continued releases into the community. This downward trend in the federal inmate population is expected to continue over the coming months.

CSC is engaging with community partners on an ongoing basis to ensure that offenders on conditional release have a safe, secure and supportive environment to which they can return. This is an important part of any safe and successful release into the community.

Reduced Staffing Due to Self-Isolating

Staff members at a number of CSC institutions have tested positive for COVID-19. CSC is collaborating with public health authorities to conduct contact tracing to ensure that close contacts are self-isolating at home and additional testing is conducted, as needed. 

CSC assesses operational decisions around schedules and activities on a regular basis when taking into consideration staffing levels. Staffing levels are monitored and assessed daily and adjusted, as required. On-site staff are showing flexibility and some have worked extended hours to meet the operational requirements of running Institutions.

Programming During COVID-19

In July 2020, CSC resumed group correctional programs in its institutions. In collaboration with public health experts, an Integrated Risk Management Framework was developed. It outlines different risk levels and mitigation strategies associated with each operational activity to protect staff, offenders, and the public. If, at any time, the COVID-19 risks associated with an activity change, the framework identifies actions to take in response.

Programming remains an essential part of reintegration. CSC continues to find ways to navigate the challenges associated with COVID-19 while resuming programming with new health and safety measures in place. CSC has prioritized access to programming for high-risk offenders and those approaching their release dates. Subject to public health and operational realities, CSC has promoted alternative program delivery methods such as the use of video conferencing. CSC also provides programing within the community. Offenders who did not complete institutional programs have access to community programs and community maintenance.

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