COVID-19 update for offenders and their families: August 26, 2022

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

Your cooperation in continuing to wear a mask and washing/sanitizing your hands is helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our institutions, and is much appreciated. Please notify Health Services if you do not feel well. In January, it will be two years since the first vaccines became available, which greatly reduced our risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Thank you for keeping up-to-date with vaccines and boosters to help protect your health and the health of those around you.

CSC is monitoring the current monkeypox situation in Canada, and globally, to ensure we have the most up-to-date information and guidance. We have implemented an active screening process for offenders arriving from the community and returning from private family visits. CSC has also secured a supply of vaccines and treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about monkeypox, please speak with a health care professional in Health Services. 

International Day for People of African Descent on August 31 is an important celebration of the enormous contributions people of African descent have made, and continue to make, to every aspect of our society. This day is also a recognition of the profound injustices and discrimination that people of African descent have endured and continue to endure to this day. There is no place for discrimination and intolerance in our institutions and I encourage you to think about your words and actions, they matter.

In the communique of April 1, 2020, you were advised that, because of circumstances beyond your control, you would continue to be paid at the same level you were paid during the March 2 to 15, 2020 pay period, or would continue to receive an allowance of $2.50 if you were receiving the basic allowance at that time. This was to assist you during the COVID-19 pandemic if you were unable to participate in work and/or program assignments as a result of modified institutional routines. However, as inmate work and program participation has resumed, the inmate pay freeze is being lifted. If you are placed in medical isolation and are unable to work or participate in programs, your pay level will not be impacted

In addition, I have extended the waiver for:

until December 31, 2022. These deductions will not come off your pay during this time. I encourage you to put the extra funds towards your education or self-improvement goals.

At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about what you’ve done with those accomplishments. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back. —Denzel Washington

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