COVID-19 update for offenders and their families: May 21, 2020
This content is a message to federal offenders and their families from Correctional Service Canada's (CSC’s) Commissioner.
I am pleased to report that we are seeing fewer new cases of COVID-19 in our institutions. Since the end of March, we had an outbreak in five of our 43 institutions and we are now down to one institution, the Federal Training Centre in Quebec, with more than two active cases.
We recently got some feedback from inmates on these weekly notes. I hope you all find them useful. We also post them online to keep your families informed. We were asked to share the suite of measures we have put in place to protect both employees and inmates in our institutions. The measures in place in all institutions to minimize spread of COVID-19 include:
- preventing the introduction of COVID-19 into our sites by limiting access to all but critical workers and actively health screening anyone that must enter
- temporarily suspending visits, temporary absences (unless medically necessary), group programming and work releases
- increasing access to health care services and professionals, and the necessary equipment, supplies and medications
- working in partnership with public health to implement comprehensive public health protocols, including patient testing, medical isolation, contact tracing and follow-up
- strengthening infection prevention and control measures by working with specialists to implement recommendations that help prevent exposure and spread of illness
- enhancing and increasing cleaning protocols, hand sanitizing stations and prevention education; and
- providing all workers and inmates with masks. Additional personal protective equipment is available for employees, as needed, including gloves, face shields/goggles and gowns
I know many of you have started to hear about different Provinces beginning to lift certain COVID-19 restrictions. We have started putting some thought into this too. We need to remain vigilant and avoid going too quickly in reinstating activities, such as allowing outside visitors back into our institutions. I know it has been a few months since you have seen family but please know that these measures are in place to protect you, our employees and your families. We have a committee in place that is looking at decisions pertaining to lifting any restrictions. This will be gradual, in line with public health advice and it will likely vary across the country. I will keep you informed before we implement any changes.
Please continue to:
- wear your mask
- practice physical distancing
- wash your hands regularly and
- avoid touching your face
If you have questions, please reach out to Health Services.
I appreciate your cooperation as we work through this together.