January 12, 2021
Preliminary findings released today by the Prison Pandemic Partnership, which includes the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, reveal that COVID-19 infections related to Canadian jails, prisons and penitentiaries are skyrocketing, and new cases in recent weeks have surpassed the total number of such COVID-19 cases recorded in the first nine months of the pandemic.
From March to the end of November 2020, there were 1,864 reported coronavirus cases amongst prisoners and prison staff in Canada, more than half of which were reported in October and November. Since December 1, there have been at least 1,962 such cases, bringing the total to over 3,800 since the pandemic began.
For more information on the numbers of cases in specific provinces please see the fact sheets:
- Click here for overall numbers
- Click here for Correctional Services Canada (Federal)
- Click here for Alberta
- Click here for Saskatchewan
- Click here for Manitoba
- Click here for Ontario
- Click here for Quebec
Advocates and researchers tracking the precipitous rise in COVID-19 infections behind bars are sounding the alarm. They are demanding provincial, territorial, and federal governments take immediate steps to safeguard the lives and health of prisoners and prison staff, and communities where carceral institutions are located.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
For the Media
For further comments, please contact us at media@ccla.org.
