Sunday, May 9, 2021

8,800 COVID-19 Cases Linked to Canadian Carceral Institutions by the End of May 2021

* Updated 2 June 2021 at 1:50pm EST *

OVERALL
Prisoners = 6,276 (9 deaths reported)
Staff = 2,126 (1 death reported)
Contractors = 6 
Unspecified = 392
Total = 8,800

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

Federal | Correctional Service Canada = 2,188 (1,579 prisoners | 609 staff) 
Nova Scotia = 4 (2 + 1 prisoners | 1 staff)
New Brunswick = 2 (0 prisoners | 2 staff)
Prince Edward Island = 1 (1 prisoner | 0 staff)
Quebec = 1,042 (637 prisoners | 405 staff) 
Ontario = 2,075 (1,580 prisoners | 491 staff | 4 contractors)
Manitoba = 614 (484 prisoners | 130 staff)
Saskatchewan = 1,052 (825 prisoners | 227 staff)
Alberta = 1,633 (1,027 prisoners | 212 staff | 2 contractors | 392 unspecified)
British Columbia = 177 (128 prisoners | 49 staff)
Nunavut = 12 (12 prisoners | 0 staff)

Other Carceral Institutions (not included in overall count above)
Federal | Canadian Border Services Agency = 6 (4 prisoners | 1 staff | 1 contractor)

Canadian Jurisdictions without Reported COVID-19 Cases 
Linked to their Provincial-Territorial Jails and Prisons as of 31 May 2021 
Newfoundland and Labrador
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 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 CorrectionsCorrectional 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, the Corrections Branch of the New Brunswick Department of Public SafetyPrince Edward Island Community and Correctional Services, and British Columbia Corrections that have had fewer cases 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 9 May 2021 at 8:40pm EST *

177 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to British Columbia Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 19 April 2021 *

Prisoners = 128
Staff =  49
Total = 177

* 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 provincial prisoners and prison staff in British Columbia that have not been publicly disclosed. 

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Fraser Regional Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 31

Staff = 5

Total = 36

Source: Globe and Mail (7 March 2021)


North Fraser Pretrial Centre

Prisoners = 1 + 22

Staff = 0 + 7

Total = 30

Sources: Vancouver Sun (25 September 2020CTV News (26 February 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 + 38

Staff = 3 + 1

Total = 42

Sources: News 1130 (24 October 2020) | Tri-City News (14 February 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

 * Updated 1 June 2021 7:25am EST *

1,635 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Alberta Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 29 May 2021 *

Prisoners = 1,027 
Staff = 212
Contractors = 2
Unspecified = 392
Total = 1,635

* 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 provincial prisoners and prison staff in Alberta that have not been publicly disclosed. 

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Calgary Remand Centre

Prisoners = 4 + 335

Staff = 2 + 56

Contractor = 1

Unspecified = 179

Total = 577

Sources: CBC News (17 July 2020) | CBC News (22 December 2020) | Newstalk 1010 (9 March 2021)


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 (1 death on 10 December 2020)

Unspecified = 87

Total = 133

Source: CBC News (11 December 2020) | Sherwood Park News (26 February 2021 | 16 March 2021) | Edmonton Journal (28 March 2021)


Lethbridge Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (11 December 2020)


Peace River Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 1 

Staff = 1 

Unspecified = 94

Total = 96

Sources: CBC News (11 December 2020) | River Country 94.7 FM (21 January 2021) | Reach 96.3 FM (26 February 2021) | Edmonton Journal (28 March 2021)


Red Deer Remand Centre

Prisoners = 2 + 18 + 21

Staff = 3 + 4 + 3

Unspecified = 32

Total = 74

Source: Red Deer Advocate (15 December 2020 | 21 January 2021 | 12 May 2021) | Red Deer Now (29 May 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

 * Updated 28 May 2021 at 11:05pm EST *

1,052 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Saskatchewan Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 27 May 2021 *

Prisoners = 825 
Staff = 227
Total = 1,052

* Data based on figures made publicly available through government 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 provincial prisoners and prison staff in Saskatchewan that have not been publicly disclosed. 

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Regina Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 463

Staff = 121

Total = 584

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Saskatoon Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 200

Staff = 60

Total = 260

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Prince Albert Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 104

Staff = 17

Total = 121

Source: PA Now (25 May 2021)


Pine Grove Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 29 + 12

Staff = 8 + 5

Total = 54

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021) | CBC News (27 May 2021) | CTV News (27 May 2021)


Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Bernard Lake Correctional Camp

Prisoners = 1

Staff = 0

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford 

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Paul Dojack Youth Centre

Prisoners = 7

Staff = 4

Total = 11

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Kilburn Hall Youth Centre

Prisoners = 6

Staff = 5

Total = 11

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Prince Albert Youth Residence

Prisoners = 2

Staff = 4

Total = 6

Source: CBC News (3 May 2021)


Drumming Hill Youth Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 2

Total = 2

Source: CBC News (3 May 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: 2 June 2021 at 1:05pm EST *

2,075 Reported COVID-19 Cases Linked to Ontario Provincial Jails and Prisons as of 31 May 2021 *

Prisoners = 1,580 (1 dead)
Staff = 491
Contractor = 4
Total = 2,075

* 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 provincial prisoners and prison staff in Ontario that have not been publicly disclosed. 

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre
Prisoners = 4
Staff = 2
Total = 6
Source: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Central East Correctional Centre
Prisoners = 197
Staff = 4 + 9
Total = 210
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021) | Peterborough Examiner (25 May 2021)

Central North Correctional Centre
Prisoners = 79 (minus 9 transferred from the closed Stratford Jail)
Staff = 8
Total = 78
Sources: Government of Ontario  (31 May 2021CBC News (17 July 2020| Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre
Prisoners = 74
Staff = 49
Total = 123
Sources: Government of Ontario  (31 May 2021) | Global News (29 April 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre
Prisoners = 80
Staff = 33
Contractor = 1
Total = 114
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Kenora Jail
Prisoners = 8
Staff = 0
Total = 8
Source: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021)

Maplehurst Correctional Complex
Prisoners = 279
Staff = 97
Contractor = 1
Total = 377
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Milton-Vanier Centre for Women
Prisoners = 50
Staff = 8
Contractor = 1
Total = 59
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Monteith Correctional Centre
Prisoners = 32
Staff = 4
Total = 36
Source: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Niagara Detention Centre
Prisoners = 14
Staff = 2
Total = 16
Source:  Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Ontario Correctional Institute
Prisoners = 91
Staff = 27
Total = 118
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre
Prisoners = 66
Staff = 10 + 1
Total = 77
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021) | Ottawa Citizen (31 May 2021)

Quinte Detention Centre
Prisoners = 5
Staff = 0
Total = 5
Source: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021)

Sarnia Jail
Prisoners = 52
Staff = 8
Total = 60
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

South West Detention Centre
Prisoners = 41
Staff = 19
Contractor = 1
Total = 61
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Windsor Star (20 March 2020) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre
Prisoners = 0
Staff = 1
Total = 1
Source: CBC News (17 July 2020)

Stratford Jail
Prisoners = 9 
Staff = 2
Total = 11
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Sudbury Jail
Prisoners = 2
Staff = 0
Total = 2
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021)

Thunder Bay Correctional Centre
Prisoners = 63
Staff = 22
Total = 85
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Thunder Bay Jail
Prisoners = 98
Staff = 44
Total = 142
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Toronto East Detention Centre
Prisoners = 47 (1 dead on 23 March 2021)
Staff = 38
Total = 85
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 2021)

Toronto South Detention Centre
Prisoners = 298
Staff = 103
Total = 401
Sources: Government of Ontario (31 May 2021) | Ministry of the Solicitor General (27 May 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 June 2021 at 6:30pm EST *

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

Prisoners = 484
Staff = 130
Total = 614

INSTITUTIONS AND CASES

Agassiz Youth Centre

Prisoners = 13

Staff = 5

Total = 18

Source: Data MB (31 May 2021)


Brandon Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 90

Staff = 19

Total = 109

Source: Data MB (31 May 2021)

 

Headingly Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 214 

Staff = 46 

Total = 260

Source: Data MB (31 May 2021)


Manitoba Youth Centre

Prisoners = 1 

Staff = 7

Total = 8

Source: Data MB (31 May 2021)

 

Milner Ridge Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 83 

Staff = 29

Total = 112

Source: Data MB (31 May 2021)

 

The Pas Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 0

Staff = 1

Total = 1

Source: Data MB (31 May 2021)


Winnipeg Remand Centre

Prisoners = 52

Staff = 16 

Total = 68

Source: Data MB (31 May 2021)


Women’s Correctional Centre

Prisoners = 31 

Staff = 7

Total = 38

Source: Data MB (31 May 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.