COVID-19 Cases Linked to Canadian Carceral Institutions (as of 8 January 2021)

Press Release - "CCLA sounds alarm as COVID in prisons reaches unprecedented levels" (click here)

OVERALL

Before 1 December 2020: 1,864 (1,424 prisoners | 439 staff | 1 contractor)

After 1 December 2020: 1,962 (1,639 prisoners | 321 staff | 2 contractors)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 3,826 (3,063 prisoners | 760 staff | 3 contractors)

Graphs - "Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Carceral Institutions in Canada Before and After 1 December 2020" (click here)

CORRECTIONAL SERVICE CANADA

Before 1 December 2020: 649 (476 prisoners | 173 staff)

After 1 December 2020: 813 (725 prisoners | 88 staff)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 1,462 (1,201 prisoners | 261 staff)

Graphs - "Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Correctional Service Canada Penitentiaries Before and After 1 December 2020" (click here)

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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 = 19

Staff = 2

Total = 21

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Federal Training Centre

Prisoners = 162 (1 dead on 3 May 2020)

Staff = 34 

Total = 196 

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Joliette Institution for Women

Prisoners = 54

Staff = 49

Total = 103 

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Port Cartier Institution

Prisoners = 15

Staff = 26

Total = 41

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Regional Reception Centre - Quebec Region

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

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 (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Collins Bay Institution

Prisoners = 6

Staff = 0

Total = 6

Source: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021)

Grand Valley Institution for Women

Prisoners = 8

Staff = 3

Total = 11

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Joyceville Institution

Prisoners = 152 

Staff = 1 + 4

Total = 157

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Kingston Whig-Standard (18 December 2020)

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 (7 January 2021)

Stony Mountain Institution

Prisoners = 361 (1 dead on 27 December 2020)

Staff = 8 + 25

Total = 394

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | Newstalk 610 CKTB (23 November 2020) | CBC News (28 December 2020)

Saskatchewan Penitentiary

Prisoners = 244 (1 dead on 8 January 2021)

Staff = 1 + 14

Total = 259

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | Saskatoon Star Phoenix (6 October 2020) | CTV News (24 December 2020)

Willow Cree Healing Centre

Prisoners = 8

Staff = 2

Total = 10

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | Global News (31 December 2020)

Bowden Institution

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 3

Total = 3

Source: CTV News (30 October 2020)

Drumheller Institution

Prisoners = 37 

Staff = 2 

Total = 39

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | Calgary Herald (31 October 2020) 

Edmonton Institution

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 7

Total = 8

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CTV News (21 November 2020)

Edmonton Institution for Women

Prisoners = 5

Staff = 1

Total = 6

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | Edmonton Journal (24 November 2020)

Pê Sâkâstêw Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff =3

Total = 3

Source: Calgary Herald (31 October 2020) 

Fraser Valley Institution for Women

Prisoners = 4 

Staff = 1 

Total = 5

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Matsqui Institution

Prisoners = 1 

Staff = 1

Total = 2

Sources: Correctional Service Canada (7 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 (7 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Daily Hive News Vancouver (16 September 2020) | CTV News (19 November 2020)

Unknown Institutions or Regions 

Staff = 261 (-214 previously reported cases)

Total = 47

Sources: Global News (8 August 2020) | Le Soleil (6 January 2021)

NOVA SCOTIA

Before 1 December 2020: 1 (1 prisoner | 0 staff)

After 1 December 2020: 0 (0 prisoners | 0 staff)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 1 (1 prisoners | 0 staff)

 

Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

QUEBEC

Before 1 December 2020: 260 (183 prisoners | 77 staff)

After 1 December 2020: 78 (17 prisoners | 61 staff)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 338 (200 prisoners | 138 staff)

Graphs - "Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Provincial Jails and Prisons in Ontario Before and After 1 December 2020" (click here)

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Établissement de détention d'Amos

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 1

Total = 2

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Hull

Prisoners = 6

Staff = 11

Total = 17

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention Leclerc de Laval

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 9

Total = 10

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Montréal - Bordeaux

Prisoners = 97

Staff = 51

Total = 148

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de New Carlisle

Prisoners = 46

Staff = 11

Total = 57

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Percé

Prisoners = 14

Staff = 14

Total = 28

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Québec - secteur masculin

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 12

Total = 14

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Rimouski

Prisoners = 8

Staff = 5

Total = 13

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention Rivière-des-Prairies

Prisoners = 8

Staff = 14

Total = 22

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Roberval

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 3

Total = 3

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Saint-Jérôme

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 15

Total = 17

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Sherbrooke

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Sorel-Tracy

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 3

Total = 5

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

Établissement de détention de Trois-Rivières

Prisoners = 19

Staff = 16

Total = 35

Source: Gouvernement du Québec (8 January 2021)

ONTARIO

Before 1 December 2020: 203 (169 prisoners | 33 staff | 1 contractor)

After 1 December 2020: 127 (124 prisoners | 3 staff)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 330 (293 prisoners | 36 staff | 1 contractor)

Graphs - "Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Provincial Jails and Prisons in Ontario Before and After 1 December 2020" (click here)

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Monteith Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Maplehurst Correctional Complex

Prisoners = 16

Staff = 2

Total = 18

Sources: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Ontario Correctional Institute

Prisoners = 91

Staff = 25

Total = 116

Sources: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Toronto South Detention Centre

Prisoners = 109

Staff = 1

Total = 110

Sources: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020)

Vanier Centre for Women

Prisoners = 7

Staff = 0

Total = 7

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 0

Total = 2

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre

Prisoners = 5

Staff = 1 + 2

Total = 7

Sources: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Barton Prisoner Solidarity Project (28 November 2020)

Central East Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 6

Staff = 0

Total = 6

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Niagara Detention Centre

Prisoners = 6

Staff = 0

Total = 6

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Central North Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 23

Staff = 1 + 3

Total = 27

Sources: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021) | CBC News (17 July 2020) | Collingwood Today (22 December 2020)

Kenora Jail

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 0

Total = 2

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre

Prisoners = 5

Staff = 0

Total = 5

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

South West Detention Centre

Prisoners = 3

Staff = 0

Contractor = 1

Total = 4

Sources: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021) | Windsor Star (20 March 2020)

Toronto East Detention Centre

Prisoners = 11

Staff = 0

Total = 11

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 0

Total = 2

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Sarnia Jail

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 0

Total = 2

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

Thunder Bay Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 0

Total = 2

Source: Government of Ontario (6 January 2021)

St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

MANITOBA

Before 1 December 2020: 306 (242 prisoners | 64 staff)

After 1 December 2020: 243 (189 prisoners | 54 staff)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 549 (431 prisoners | 118 staff)

Graphs - "Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Provincial Jails and Prisons in Manitoba Before and After 1 December 2020" (click here)

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Agassiz Youth Centre

Prisoners = 13

Staff = 5

Total = 18

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

Brandon Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 90

Staff = 18

Total = 108

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

 

Headingly Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 209 

Staff = 46 

Total = 255

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

Manitoba Youth Centre

Prisoners = 0 

Staff = 5

Total = 5

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

 

Milner Ridge Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 81 

Staff = 26 

Total = 107

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

 

The Pas Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

Winnipeg Remand Centre

Prisoners = 11 

Staff = 13 

Total = 24

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

Women’s Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 27 

Staff = 4

Total = 31

Source: Data MB (8 January 2021)

 

SASKATCHEWAN

Before 1 December 2020: 160 (122 prisoners | 38 staff)

After 1 December 2020: 195 (157 prisoners | 38 staff)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 355 (279 prisoners | 76 staff)

Graphs - "Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Provincial Jails and Prisons in Saskatchewan Before and After 1 December 2020" (click here)

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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)

Regina Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1 + 60 + 2

Staff = 2 + 3 + 9

Total = 77

Sources: CBC News (28 November 2020) | CBC News (31 December 2020) | CTV News (4 January 2020)

Paul Dojack Youth Centre

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 1 + 1 

Total = 4

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

Kilburn Hall Youth Centre

Prisoners = 2 + 2

Staff = 1 + 1

Total = 6

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

Pine Grove Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1 + 6

Staff = 0

Total = 7 

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

Prince Albert Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 20

Staff = 1 + 4 + 1

Total = 26

Sources: CBC News (28 November 2020) | CBC News (22 December 2020) | 620 CKRM (5 January 2020)

Prince Albert Youth Residence

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Sources: CBC News (28 November 2020)

Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford 

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Sources: 620 CKRM (5 January 2020)

ALBERTA

Before 1 December 2020: 270 (229 prisoners | 41 staff)

After 1 December 2020: 506 (427 prisoners | 77 staff | 2 contractors)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 776 (656 prisoners | 118 staff | 2 contractors)

Graphs - "Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Provincial Jails and Prisons in Alberta Before and After 1 December 2020" (click here)

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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 = 166

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

Edmonton Remand Centre

Prisoners = 1 + 14 + 57 + 51

Staff = 7 + 3 + 8

Contractor = 1

Total = 142

Sources: CBC News (17 July 2020) | Edmonton Journal (23 October 2020) | CTV News (17 November 2020) | Edmonton Journal (20 December 2020)

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

Staff = 1

Total = 2

Source: CBC News (11 December 2020)

Red Deer Remand Centre

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 3

Total = 5

Source: Red Deer Advocate (15 December 2020)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Before 1 December 2020: 15 (2 prisoners | 13 staff)

After 1 December 2020: 0 (0 prisoners | 0 staff)

Total cases as of 8 Jan. 2021: 15 (2 prisoners | 13 staff)

 

Okanagan Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 3 + 7

Total = 11

Sources: CBC News (17 July 2020) | CTV News (14 August 2020) | Global News (14 September 2020) 

North Fraser Pretrial Centre

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: Vancouver Sun (25 September 2020)

Surrey Pretrial Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 3

Total = 3

Source: News 1130 (24 October 2020)

Canadian Jurisdictions without Reported COVID-19 Cases 
Linked to their Provincial-Territorial Jails and Prisons as of 8 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 are many laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 linked to prisoners and/or staff of Canadian carceral institutions that have not been publicly reported 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 smaller 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 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.