COVID-19 update for offenders and their families: August 20, 2021

This content is a message to federal offenders and their families from Correctional Service Canada's (CSC's) Commissioner.

There is one active inmate case this week at Millhaven Institution (maximum) in Ontario. This low number is a tribute to all your efforts in this regard.

Last Sunday, Parliament was dissolved and an election was set for September 20. I wanted to let you know that we will hold elections in the institutions for inmates on September 8. You have the right to vote, and CSC works closely with Elections Canada to make sure you can exercise your democratic right.

This year, with the pandemic, we will be following infection, prevention and control measures regarding how the voting is carried out in your institution. More details to come in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I encourage you to take the opportunity to listen to the news and learn about what each of the political party’s platforms are. 

I want to emphasize that your health and safety are of paramount importance. Vaccinations are our best line of defence. They have been very effective in preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19, and they are a critical way of curbing the spread of this disease. Since the start of the vaccination campaign, less than 1% of COVID-19 cases have been among those who were fully protected by the vaccine.

I am pleased that over 72 percent of you have now received two doses of the vaccine. Thank you for helping protect yourself and those around you. Also, a big thank you in advance to those of you who are considering getting vaccinated in the near future. If you want more information about the vaccine, please speak with Health Services. Even if you are fully vaccinated, you still need to keep up other layers of protection.

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I am also proud of the efforts at Stony Mountain Institution to launch a beekeeping initiative. It was fuelled by inmate participation and staff ingenuity, with help from Joyceville and Collins Bay Institutions as well as a local volunteer beekeeper. This grassroots project allows for a unique collaboration between the institution and the community, empowering each participant to contribute to positive change. Stony Mountain Institution is also working with the University of Manitoba to offer a ‘beekeeping for hobbyists’ course, which will provide vocational certification for inmates. Kudos to the Stony Mountain staff and inmates involved in this terrific initiative.

Thank you for adapting to our new normal over the past 17 months. Change can be challenging, but I am impressed with your collaboration and I thank you.  

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

– Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister

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