COVID-19 update for offenders and their families: July 23, 2021
This content is a message to federal offenders and their families from Correctional Service Canada's (CSC's) Commissioner.
I am pleased to share with you that approximately 70% of our inmate population is now fully vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The more people vaccinated means fewer COVID-19 infections and that is our goal. We still need to be diligent in keeping up our other layers of protection, though. I thank you for continuing to:
- wear your mask
- wash/sanitize your hands often, and
- practice physical distancing
Your health and the health of others depends on your cooperation.
Since 2013, September 30 has been recognized as orange shirt day to create awareness of and educate Canadians about the Indian residential school system. Recently, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day will be an opportunity to reflect and learn about this part of our history and to commemorate:
- the survivors
- their families, and
- their communities
World Hepatitis Day, on July 28, raises awareness of hepatitis-related illness, which causes inflammation of the liver. Along with the public health community in Canada, CSC is continuing efforts to:
- detect
- manage
- prevent, and
- treat
patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our treatment and prevention efforts have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis C in our institutions from more than 18.2% to 5.6% over five years.
July 28 is also World Nature Conservation Day, encouraging us to recognize that a healthy environment is necessary for a healthy society. Everyone on the planet depends on natural resources:
- water
- air
- soil
- minerals
- trees
- animals, and
- food
to live. For our well-being today and for future generations, we all must do our best to:
- protect
- conserve, and
- sustainably manage
our precious natural resources. Here at CSC, we have developed a strategy to make our operations more sustainable.
Thank you for keeping up our infection and prevention control methods. It is much appreciated.