It can be helpful for prisoners to provide support letters to the Parole Board of Canada or Ontario Parole Board, as the case may be. Support letters can be helpful because they give the Board insight into what the prisoner's life will look like if the prisoner is granted parole. Having letters can help show the Board that the prisoner's release plan has enough structure and support to reduce the prisoner's risk of offending. Support letters are...
Prisoners released on parole or statutory release have to abide by certain conditions. Some conditions are imposed at the discretion of the Parole Board of Canada, but others are standard conditions imposed on all prisoners on parole and statutory release. All federal prisoners on parole or statutory release must abide by the following standard conditions, unless varied: on release, travel directly to the offender’s place of residence, as set...
There are a number of halfway houses across Ontario that offer support for prisoners on day parole. However, even if a prisoner is granted day parole and has the support of a halfway house, it does not mean that the prisoner will be released on parole immediately. A prisoner granted day parole to a halfway house needs to wait for a bed to become available. In some cases, a bed will be available for a prisoner in a few days, but often it can...
Federal prisoners can generally receive daily payments and allowances while incarcerated. There are four daily payment levels for prisoners who participate in program assignments (school, work, programming, etc.): Payment level A: $6.90 Payment level B: $6.35 Payment level C: $5.80 Payment level D: $5.25 Prisoners can earn higher payment levels by showing good institutional behaviour, consistently attending work or required programs, engaging in...
In federal prisons, treatment is not to be provided or continued unless the prisoner gives informed consent. Prisoners, like all citizens, generally have the right to refuse treatment or withdraw from treatment at any time. To qualify as informed consent, the prisoner has to be advised of and have the capacity to understand: (a) the likelihood and degree of improvement, remission, control or cure as a result of the treatment; ...
Each federal prisoner receives a security classification at intake, which is determined in the months after sentencing while the prisoner is in the assessment phase. A prisoner is rated as either minimum, medium, or maximum security. Once a prisoner has been assessed and placed in their home institution, this security classification can eventually be reassessed. A Security Classification Review must be completed at least once every two years...
The property that a prisoner is allowed to have in their cell depends on the prisoner's gender and security level. The National Lists of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates sets out which items prisoners are allowed to have in their cells, which are reviewed annually. If a prisoner has an authorized item that is later taken off the list, then the prisoner may be allowed to keep the item (but will likely be prevented from replacing it)....
If a young person receives a youth sentence, then they will generally serve it in a youth correctional facility. Once the youth turns 18 years old, then an application can be brought by the provincial director to authorize the transfer of the young person to a provincial correctional facility for adults (if it's in the best interests of the young person or in the public interest). A youth justice can also authorize a transfer to a penitentiary,...
Prisoners in federal penitentiaries may be required to attend court for a variety of reasons. A prisoner may face new charges while imprisoned, be called as a witness, need to attend a family or civil proceeding, etc. In some cases, prisoners can be transferred to another correctional facility to attend court in-person. Below are some things to know about transfers for court attendance: A federal prisoner can be transferred to another prison or...
Correctional Service Canada ("CSC") recognizes that education is important for rehabilitation and reintegration. Teaching certification and standards are regulated by provinces and territories, so programs may differ between prisons. However, CSC does try to maintain a standard level of service and consistency across the country. Here are some points to know about education in prison: Prisoners' education needs are determined during the...
