Visiting correctional institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic (frequently asked questions)

Find answers to common questions about visiting offenders at Correctional Service Canada (CSC) institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• COVID-19 visiting checklist

• What should you expect for the visit? What changes/limitations can you expect?

  Visits look a bit different than they did prior to the pandemic. These measures are now in place for visits:

  • you must be booked at least 48 hours in advance by:

    • calling the institution

  • you will be asked questions about your health and recent close contacts when you book your appointment and when you arrive at the institution
    • if you have any:
      • COVID-19 symptoms, you will not be allowed to enter

      • in addition, you may have your temperature taken by a non-touch thermometer

  • CSC cannot accommodate more than three visitors at one time per inmate, two of which may be children
  • physical contact between visitors and inmates may not be permitted
  • visits will be limited to 1.5 hours due to reduced capacity for the amount of visitors permitted in the institution
  • masks are mandatory. You can bring your own or one will be provided
  • visits will be permitted by individuals from a community where the local public health authority has identified no local community transmission and consistent with interprovincial and intraprovincial travel restrictions
  • due to reduced capacity, normally only one visit per week per visitor will be permitted (some sites may be able to accommodate more than one visit a week)
  • you cannot bring food, beverages, or personal belongings into the institution
  • vending machines will not be available
  • play areas are closed and toys are not permitted

• If you are travelling a long distance, is your visit guaranteed to happen when you arrive?

  To book a visit, you must:

  • call the institution atleast 48 hours in advance

  You will be asked if you are fully vaccinated.

  • see more information about this requirement and any exemptions.

  You will be asked questions about your health and recent close contacts at the time of booking.

  CSC recommends that you call the institution before your visit to ensure it is open. Any updates related to COVID-19 will also be posted on our website. If any new cases, or suspected cases of COVID-19 appear in its institutions, CSC will immediately suspend visits in those institutions until further notice.

  Visits will only be permitted by individuals from a community where the local public health authority has identified no local community transmission and consistent with interprovincial and intraprovincial travel restrictions. This is to protect the safety of everyone. Please contact your local public health authority to determine if there is any community transmission in your area or if there are any interprovincial and intraprovincial travel restrictions.

  Visits will also be subject to regular screening for security purposes and can still be cancelled due to other security concerns.

• Can your children come?

  Yes, children can accompany you for a visit.

  A maximum of three visitors are permitted at a time, which can include two children. During the pandemic, children’s play areas will remain closed and toys from the institution will not be available.

• Do you need to wear a mask?

  Yes, all visitors must wear a mask for the duration of their time inside the institution. Children under the age of two do not need to wear a mask. CSC encourages you to bring your own mask. If you do not have one, one will be provided.

• What measures are in place to ensure your health and that of the person you are visiting?

  To support immediate contact tracing if required, CSC is reducing the number of visitors allowed in the institution at one time and limiting them to no more than 20 visitors and inmates. This number may be reduced as required, depending on the visiting area space, to ensure that two meter distancing is maintained at all times.

  Masks are mandatory for visitors over the age of two.

  All rooms/locations where visits will occur are disinfected before and after each visit, including visitor washrooms, in accordance with national cleaning protocols. Increased cleaning of high-touch surfaces and high traffic areas will continue, especially in visitor areas. You will also have access to hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.

• What can you bring for your visit?

  CSC encourages you to bring your own mask. If you do not have one, one will be provided.

  Visitors cannot bring food, beverages, or personal belongings into the institution. Exceptions may be made for accessibility reasons. Exceptions may also be made for small children that require diapers, bottles and other items. Vending machines will also not be available.

• What type of screening can you expect as a visitor?

  You will be asked questions related to your health and recent close contacts. You may also have your temperature taken by a non-touch thermometer. If you have any:

  • COVID-19 symptoms, you will not be allowed to enter

  The best thing you can do to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is stay home if you are sick.

  Your information and the date and time of your visit will be recorded. This will be available to local public health authorities should contact tracing need to occur.

• What should you expect when you arrive at the institution?

  Following the screening protocols, you will be required to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

  You can bring your own mask. If you do not have one, one will be provided.

• Will private family visit units be open?

  CSC is taking a gradual approach to reopening and at this time, in some institutions private family visits are open. Please continue to check CSC’s website for further updates.

COVID-19 visiting checklist

Please ensure these are in place before you visit a CSC institution:

• your CPIC clearance form is up-to-date
• you are on the inmate’s:
  • authorized visitors’ list
• you have called the institution at least 48 hours in advance to book your visit and called the institution ahead of your visit to ensure it is still open
• you have monitored your health and are not currently exhibiting any:
  • COVID-19 symptoms
• you are not more than three people which can include two children
• you have a mask (if you do not have one, one will be provided)
• you are not bringing, into the institution, any:
  • food
  • beverages, or
  • personal belongings 
• you reside in a community where the local public health authority has identified no local community transmission and are following interprovincial and intraprovincial travel restrictions