More Than 5,300 COVID-19 Cases Linked to Canadian Carceral Institutions by End of January 2021

* Updated: 5 February 2021 at 11:10am (figures remain pre-February 2021) *

OVERALL

Prisoners = 4,125

Staff = 1,232

Contractors = 6 

Total = 5,363

Canadian Jurisdictions with Reported COVID-19 Cases 
Linked to their Carceral Institutions as of 31 January 2021 

Federal | Correctional Service Canada = 1,537 (1,241 prisoners | 296 staff)

Nova Scotia = 1 (1 prisoner | 0 staff)

Quebec = 525 (292 prisoners | 233 staff) 

Ontario = 820 (597 prisoners | 219 staff | 4 contractors)

Manitoba = 572 (454 prisoners | 118 staff)

Saskatchewan = 538 (426 prisoners | 112 staff)

Alberta = 1,217 (1,006 prisoners | 209 staff | 2 contractors)

British Columbia = 153 (108 prisoners | 45 staff)

Canadian Jurisdictions without Reported COVID-19 Cases 
Linked to their Provincial-Territorial Jails and Prisons as of 31 January 2021 
Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island

New Brunswick

Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Yukon

NOTE ON METHOD

The preliminary findings presented above were compiled from figures included media reports and publicly available government data sets. Due to the quality of the data available, it is possible that there fewer or additional laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 linked to prisoners and/or staff of Canadian carceral institutions than those compiled above as many jurisdictions do not report both types of cases online on a pro-active basis like the Ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec and  Manitoba Corrections. Correctional Service Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General release prisoner COVID-19 case figures on a regular basis through tables accessible through a single web link, but not those of their institutional staff. All other Canadian human caging authorities do not make such data sets available online, including the Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety and the Alberta Correctional Services Division that have had several large outbreaks linked to their provincial jails and prisons, as well as the Nova Scotia Correctional Services Division and British Columbia Corrections that have had fewer outbreaks linked to their provincial sites of confinement. Researchers, journalists, policymakers and practitioners using the data presented above are invited to contact justin.piche@uottawa.ca should they find any errors or have any questions. 

RESEARCH PROJECT AND FUNDING 

The preliminary findings above were compiled as part of the "COVID-19: Investigating Canada's Carceral Response to the Coronavirus through the Prison Pandemic Partnership" (principal investigator: Kevin Walby, PhD - uWinnipeg | co-investigator: Justin Piché, PhD - uOttawa | partner organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association) project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The partnership project is housed within the Centre for Access to Information and Justice at the University of Winnipeg. 

COVID-19 Cases Linked to British Columbia Provincial Jails and Prisons

* Updated: 1 February 2021 at 4:10pm *

153 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to British Columbia Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 31 January 2021

Prisoners = 108 

Staff =  45

Total = 153

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Fraser Regional Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 11

Staff = 2

Total = 13

Source: News 1130 (31 January 2021)

North Fraser Pretrial Centre

Prisoners = 1 + 21

Staff = 0 + 1 + 5

Total = 28

Sources: Vancouver Sun (25 September 2020) | News 1130 (23 January 2021) | CTV News (23 January 2021) | New Westminster Record (25 January 2021)

Okanagan Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1 + 1

Staff = 3 + 7 + 1

Total = 13

Sources: CBC News (17 July 2020) | CTV News (14 August 2020) | Global News (14 September 2020) | New Westminster Record (25 January 2021) 

Surrey Pretrial Centre

Prisoners = 0 + 39

Staff = 3 + 1

Total = 43

Sources: News 1130 (24 October 2020) | News 1130 (23 January 2021) | CTV News (27 January 2021)

Unknown Institutions 

Prisoners = 36 (minus 1 Okanagan and 1 North Fraser prisoner cases from 2020 above)

Staff = 35 (minus 10 Okanagan and 3 Surrey staff cases from 2020 above)

Total = 56 

Source: TriCity News (22 January 2021)

RESEARCH PROJECT AND FUNDING 

The data above was compiled as part of the "COVID-19: Investigating Canada's Carceral Response to the Coronavirus through the Prison Pandemic Partnership" (principal investigator: Kevin Walby, PhD - uWinnipeg | co-investigator: Justin Piché, PhD - uOttawa | partner organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association) project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The partnership project is housed within the Centre for Access to Information and Justice at the University of Winnipeg. 

COVID-19 Cases Linked to Alberta Provincial Jails and Prisons

1,217 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Alberta Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 31 January 2021 *

Prisoners = 1,006 

Staff = 209

Contractors = 2

Total = 1,217

* Data based on figures made publicly available through government, union and media reporting. Due to the quality of the data available, it is possible that there are fewer or additional laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst Alberta provincial prisoners and prison staff that have not been publicly disclosed. 

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Calgary Remand Centre

Prisoners = 4 + 335

Staff = 2 + 56

Contractor = 1

Total = 398

Sources: CBC News (17 July 2020) | CBC News (22 December 2020)

Calgary Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 104 + 8 + 41

Staff = 20 + 8 + 1

Total = 182

Sources: iHeart Radio (31 October 2020) | Calgary Herald (7 November 2020) | Global News (30 November 2020)

Edmonton Remand Centre

Prisoners = 455

Staff = 105

Contractor = 1

Total = 561

Source: Edmonton Journal (21 January 2021)

Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 37

Staff = 9

Total = 46

Source: CBC News (11 December 2020)

Lethbridge Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (11 December 2020)

Peace River Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1 + undisclosed

Staff = 1 + undisclosed

Total = 2 + undisclosed

Sourcse: CBC News (11 December 2020) | River Country 94.7 FM (21 January 2021)

Red Deer Remand Centre

Prisoners = 2 + 18

Staff = 3 + 4

Total = 27

Source: Red Deer Advocate (15 December 2020) | Red Deer Advocate (21 January 2021)

RESEARCH PROJECT AND FUNDING 

The data above was compiled as part of the "COVID-19: Investigating Canada's Carceral Response to the Coronavirus through the Prison Pandemic Partnership" (principal investigator: Kevin Walby, PhD - uWinnipeg | co-investigator: Justin Piché, PhD - uOttawa | partner organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association) project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The partnership project is housed within the Centre for Access to Information and Justice at the University of Winnipeg. 

COVID-19 Cases Linked to Saskatchewan Provincial Jails and Prisons

538 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Saskatchewan Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 31 January 2021 *

Prisoners = 426 

Staff = 112

Total = 538

* Data based on figures made publicly available through government, union and media reporting. Due to the quality of the data available, it is possible that there are fewer or additional laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst Saskatchewan provincial prisoners and prison staff that have not been publicly disclosed. 

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Kilburn Hall Youth Centre

Prisoners = 2 + 2

Staff = 1 + 1

Total = 6

Sources: CBC News (28 November 2020) | Newstalk 610 CKTB (16 December 2020)

Paul Dojack Youth Centre

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 1 + 1 

Total = 4

Sources: CBC News (28 November 2020) | Newstalk 610 CKTB (16 December 2020)

Pine Grove Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 9

Staff = 5

Total = 14

Source: Saskatoon Star Phoenix (22 January 2021)

Prince Albert Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 87

Staff = 15

Total = 102

Source: PA Herald (19 January 2021)

Prince Albert Youth Residence

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Sources: CBC News (28 November 2020)

Regina Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 141

Staff = 36

Total = 177

Source: PA Herald (19 January 2021)

Saskatoon Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 116 + 67

Staff = 6 + 26 + 18

Total = 233

Sources: CBC News (17 July 2020) | Global News (30 November 2020) | Newstalk 610 CKTB (16 December 2020)

Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford 

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Sources: 620 CKRM (5 January 2021)

RESEARCH PROJECT AND FUNDING 

The data above was compiled as part of the "COVID-19: Investigating Canada's Carceral Response to the Coronavirus through the Prison Pandemic Partnership" (principal investigator: Kevin Walby, PhD - uWinnipeg | co-investigator: Justin Piché, PhD - uOttawa | partner organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association) project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The partnership project is housed within the Centre for Access to Information and Justice at the University of Winnipeg. 

COVID-19 Cases Linked to Manitoba Provincial Jails and Prisons

* Updated: 1 February 2021 at 4:00pm *

572 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Manitoba Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 31 January 2021

Prisoners = 454 

Staff = 118

Total = 572

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Agassiz Youth Centre

Prisoners = 13

Staff = 5

Total = 18

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

Brandon Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 90

Staff = 18

Total = 108

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

 

Headingly Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 213 

Staff = 46 

Total = 259

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

Manitoba Youth Centre

Prisoners = 0 

Staff = 5

Total = 5

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

 

Milner Ridge Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 83 

Staff = 26 

Total = 109

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

 

The Pas Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

Winnipeg Remand Centre

Prisoners = 28 

Staff = 13 

Total = 41

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

Women’s Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 27 

Staff = 4

Total = 31

Source: Data MB (1 February 2021)

RESEARCH PROJECT AND FUNDING 

The data above was compiled as part of the "COVID-19: Investigating Canada's Carceral Response to the Coronavirus through the Prison Pandemic Partnership" (principal investigator: Kevin Walby, PhD - uWinnipeg | co-investigator: Justin Piché, PhD - uOttawa | partner organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association) project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The partnership project is housed within the Centre for Access to Information and Justice at the University of Winnipeg. 

COVID-19 Cases Linked to Ontario Provincial Jails and Prisons

* Updated: 5 February 2021 at 11:20pm (figures remain pre-February 2021) *

820 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Ontario Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 31 January 2021 *

Prisoners = 597 

Staff = 219

Contractor = 4

Total = 820

* Data based on figures made publicly available through government, union and media reporting. Due to the quality of the data available, it is possible that there are additional laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst Ontario provincial jail and prison staff that have not been publicly disclosed. 

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 0

Total = 2

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021)

Central East Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 11

Staff = 2

Total = 13

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Central North Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 26

Staff = 1 + 5

Total = 32

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre

Prisoners = 21

Staff = 4 + 13

Total = 38

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | CBC News (27 January 2021)

Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre

Prisoners = 5

Staff = 1 + 2

Contractor = 1

Total = 9

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Barton Prisoner Solidarity Project (28 November 2020) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Kenora Jail

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 0

Total = 2

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021)

Maplehurst Correctional Complex

Prisoners = 134

Staff = 2 + 52

Contractor = 1

Total = 189

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Toronto Star (29 January 2021) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Milton-Vanier Centre for Women

Prisoners = 20

Staff = 1

Contractor = 1

Total = 22

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Monteith Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021)

Niagara Detention Centre

Prisoners = 8

Staff = 0

Total = 8

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021)

Ontario Correctional Institute

Prisoners = 91

Staff = 26

Total = 117

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre

Prisoners = 12

Staff = 8

Total = 20

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Sarnia Jail

Prisoners = 3

Staff = 4

Total = 7

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

South West Detention Centre

Prisoners = 5

Staff = 5

Contractor = 1

Total = 11

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Windsor Star (20 March 2020) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

Thunder Bay Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 54

Staff = 11

Total = 65

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Toronto Star (29 January 2021)

Thunder Bay Jail

Prisoners = 47

Staff = 18

Total = 65

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Toronto Star (25 January 2021) | Toronto Star (29 January 2021)

Toronto East Detention Centre

Prisoners = 13

Staff = 12

Total = 25

Source: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Toronto South Detention Centre

Prisoners = 142

Staff = 1 + 43

Total = 186

Sources: Government of Ontario (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Minister of the Solicitor General (17 January 2021)

Unknown Institutions 

Staff = 7 (93 cases attributed to EDMC, MCC, TBCC and TBJ noted above)

Total = 7

Source: Toronto Star (29 January 2021)

RESEARCH PROJECT AND FUNDING 

The data above was compiled as part of the "COVID-19: Investigating Canada's Carceral Response to the Coronavirus through the Prison Pandemic Partnership" (principal investigator: Kevin Walby, PhD - uWinnipeg | co-investigator: Justin Piché, PhD - uOttawa | partner organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association) project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The partnership project is housed within the Centre for Access to Information and Justice at the University of Winnipeg. 

COVID-19 Cases Linked to Canadian Federal Penitentiaries

* Updated: 5 February 2021 at 11:10am (figures remain pre-February 2021) *

1,537 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Federal Penitentiaries Operated by Correctional Service Canada | CSC as of 31 January 2021 *

Prisoners = 1,241 

Staff = 296

Total = 1,537

* Data based on figures made publicly available through government, union and media reporting. Due to the quality of the data available, it is possible that there are fewer or additional laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst federal penitentiary staff that have not been publicly disclosed. 

ATLANTIC REGION

No COVID-19 cases amongst federal prisoners and CSC staff reported by government, union or media sources.

QUEBEC REGION

Prisoners = 250

Staff = 119

Total = 369

Archambault Institution 

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 5

Total = 5 

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

Donnacona Institution

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 2

Total = 2

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

Drummond Institution

Prisoners = 18

Staff = 2

Total = 20

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Federal Training Centre

Prisoners = 162 (1 dead on 3 May 2020) + 1 

Staff = 34 

Total = 197

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Joliette Institution for Women

Prisoners = 54

Staff = 49

Total = 103 

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Port Cartier Institution

Prisoners = 15

Staff = 26

Total = 41

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Regional Reception Centre - Quebec Region

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

ONTARIO REGION

Prisoners = 178

Staff = 23

Total = 201

Bath Institution

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

Beaver Creek Institution

Prisoners = 1 

Staff = 1 

Total = 2

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Collins Bay Institution

Prisoners = 6

Staff = 0

Total = 6

Source: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021)

Grand Valley Institution for Women

Prisoners = 8

Staff = 3

Total = 11

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Joyceville Institution

Prisoners = 160

Staff = 1 + 16

Total = 177

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Global News (2 February 2021)

Millhaven Institution

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: Kingston Whig-Standard (19 October 2020)

Warkworth Institution

Prisoners = 3

Staff = 0

Total = 3

Source: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021)

PRAIRIE REGION

Prisoners = 688

Staff = 66

Total = 754

Stony Mountain Institution

Prisoners = 370 (1 dead on 27 December 2020)

Staff = 8 + 25

Total = 403

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | Newstalk 610 CKTB (23 November 2020) | CBC News (28 December 2020)

Saskatchewan Penitentiary

Prisoners = 247 (1 dead on 8 January 2021)

Staff = 1 + 14

Total = 262

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | Saskatoon Star Phoenix (6 October 2020) | CTV News (24 December 2020)

Willow Cree Healing Centre

Prisoners = 8 (1 dead on 25 January 2021)

Staff = 2

Total = 10

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | Global News (31 December 2020)

Bowden Institution

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 3

Total = 5

Source: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CTV News (30 October 2020)

Drumheller Institution

Prisoners = 53 

Staff = 2 

Total = 55

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | Calgary Herald (31 October 2020) 

Edmonton Institution

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 7

Total = 8

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CTV News (21 November 2020)

Edmonton Institution for Women

Prisoners = 5 + 2

Staff = 1

Total = 8

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | Edmonton Journal (24 November 2020)

Pê Sâkâstêw Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff =3

Total = 3

Source: Calgary Herald (31 October 2020) 

PACIFIC REGION

Prisoners = 125

Staff = 18

Total = 143

Fraser Valley Institution for Women

Prisoners = 4 

Staff = 1 

Total = 5

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Matsqui Institution

Prisoners = 1 

Staff = 1

Total = 2

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | News 1130 (10 September 2020)

Mission Institution

Prisoners = 120 (1 dead on 15 April 2020)

Staff = 12 + 2 + 2

Total = 136

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (31 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Daily Hive News Vancouver (16 September 2020) | CTV News (19 November 2020)

UNKNOWN INSTITUTIONS AND REGIONS

Staff = 261 reported via Le Soleil (6 January 2021) + 35 reported TriCity News (22 January 2021) minus 226 cases compiled above

Total = 70

RESEARCH PROJECT AND FUNDING 

The data above was compiled as part of the "COVID-19: Investigating Canada's Carceral Response to the Coronavirus through the Prison Pandemic Partnership" (principal investigator: Kevin Walby, PhD - uWinnipeg | co-investigator: Justin Piché, PhD - uOttawa | partner organization: Canadian Civil Liberties Association) project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The partnership project is housed within the Centre for Access to Information and Justice at the University of Winnipeg.