Advocates across Canada are calling for the release of non-violent offenders and a unified plan to deal with the health and safety of inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. “What we have is people in very close contact who have little or no say in the level of hygiene and no ability to self-isolate,” says Amanda Hart-Dowhun, president of the Alberta Prison Justice Society.
She notes that Alberta inmates in courthouse holding cells do not have easy access to soap and water, and prisoner transport vehicles are only cleaned if someone inside shows COVID-19 symptoms. “Once COVID hits an institution, it will be very difficult — if not impossible — to stop it from spreading within the entire institution.” In Ontario, the government confirmed