COVID-19 update for offenders and their families: January 22, 2021

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

I wanted to start by giving you an update on COVID-19 and vaccines. As of yesterday, most inmates who had contracted the virus have recovered. We currently have 32 active cases remaining at institutions across Canada.

The other good news is that we are in the process of finalizing the first doses of COVID- 19 vaccinations for inmates who were identified to receive one during phase 1, as per National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidelines. Thank you to those who accepted the vaccine.

While some of our inmates have been vaccinated, it will be several months before enough vaccines are available to all of us. Until then, we cannot relax infection prevention control measures. I urge you to continue to wear your mask, keep a two metre distance from others as much as possible, and sanitize/wash your hands often. Until we are all vaccinated, these measures are our best defence against the virus.

On Monday, January 25, a new national menu will be introduced at all men’s institutions across the country, which includes additional calories per day and new menu items from different cultures. We made the changes following feedback from inmate committees. I would like to thank everyone who provided recommendations to the National Menu Committee last year. We worked to ensure it meets nutritional requirements and, at the same time, preferences identified by inmates during our consultations. At this time, the menu at women’s institutions remains unchanged. Most often, those in women’s institutions prepare their own food.

January 27 is Family Literacy Day. Literacy is an essential skill for all of us. Even though you may be separated from your child(ren), you can play an important role in their development by encouraging them to read. Together, you can travel the world through books and stories, and letter-writing. The Canadian Families and Corrections Network (CFCN) offers great resources for your families to support reading and other literacy activities that you can even use through telephone or video visits. Your family can also access letter writing kits from the CFCN.

I know you will agree that this has been a challenging year. This can take a toll on our mental health. Bell Let’s Talk Day is on Thursday, January 28, and aims to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. It is a good reminder that we need to take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally. CSC has resources available to you if you need to talk to someone. You can also make a difference to others by listening when they want to talk.

Thank you again for wearing your mask and following public health guidelines to keep COVID-19 at bay. We are all working together to keep our institutions and places of work safe and healthy.

Thank you, once again, for your ongoing cooperation. It makes a big difference.