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Jails and prisons across Canada have indefinitely suspended in-person visits with inmates in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and, according to the CBC, the move has many concerned about the consequences.
Inmates in coronavirus-ravaged Italy rioted after the prisons there put restrictions on visits to contain the coronavirus spread. The riot left six inmates dead. Many fear the same thing could happen in Canada’s prisons.
The CBC talked to a lawyer who filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of current and former inmates over jail conditions.
“All it takes is for one guy to snap,” Lawyer Kevin Egan told the CBC, “and things could get bad fast.”
Are you unable to see your loved one in a correctional facility because of coronavirus restrictions? Get legal help by clicking here.
“They’re already an anxious and violent group,” Egan continued. “And so I would be concerned that things might escalate if too much time goes by. This is the one kind of respite that they get, is a visit from their loved ones, and if they didn’t get that for an extended period of time then I can see things escalating.”
Facilities run by Correctional Service Canada have stopped in-person visits entirely and are only allowing phone calls and video visitations. Jails in Ontario are allowed phone calls and professional visits.
These restrictions were put into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, according to a statement made by the Office of the Solicitor General in Ontario to CBC News.
The mother of an inmate in Ontario told CBC News reporters that she’s concerned she won’t hear of her son’s status until it is too late.
“It’s heart-wrenching. Just completely heart-wrenching,” said the mother. “I mean, he’s in there because of bad choices, but he’s still my kid, and knowing that I might not be able to see him for a while, my anxiety some days is through the roof.”
The inmate is reportedly waiting for a bail hearing for a non-violent charge.
“I honestly think that there’ll be a riot,” the mother told reporters. “I am concerned that I’m going to get a call saying my son has been sent to the hospital — or worse, my son is dead.”
Correctional Service Canada says there have been no confirmed coronavirus diagnoses within Canadian correctional facilities. In addition to limiting in-person visitations, the Health Minister and Solicitor General of Oregon have released inmates with intermittent sentences to serve from home for the time being.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the province is taking decisive action to protect the health and safety of our correctional services staff and those in our custody,” stated the ministers.
Likewise, Correctional Services Canada has suspended visits from the public to inmates in its facilities.
“CSC has dedicated health-care services in its institutions that have the knowledge and experience to handle cases of infectious diseases and respiratory illnesses, such as COVID‑19,” said the agency in a statement issued when in-person visits were suspended.
Concerns Over Inmate Riots Balanced with Coronavirus Containment Efforts
According to the CBC, unrest spread among inmates after visits were restricted in Italy in an attempt to mitigate coronavirus infections. Inmates reportedly took guards hostage, broke into prison pharmacies and overdosed on drugs. Six inmates died.
Inmates in Italy were reportedly protesting the visitation restrictions and some are concerned that the same thing could happen in Canada.
Inmate riots in response to COVID-19 restrictions have also reportedly occurred in Jordan. Additionally, inmates escaped from Brazilian jails after a policy allowing temporary exits were cancelled in response to the virus.
In the United States jails and prisons have suspended visits from family, friends and attorneys in response to the coronavirus. Many U.S. courts are shutting down as well, placing court proceedings on hold until further notice. It’s unclear how long these closures will last for, but criminal and civil actions making their way through court will likely be delayed.
For their part, Canadian correctional officials say that they are basing their response on existing flu-outbreak policies. According to experts, prisons and jails house vulnerable populations who are not able to self-isolate in the event of a viral outbreak.
“People who are inside cannot easily get away from others, there is poor ventilation, little time outside and a lack of hygiene products,” a nurse who specializes in prisoner health told Global News Canada. “It is considered contraband to have access to alcohol-based substances like hand sanitizer. They’re lucky to get a bar of soap. It’s terrifying.”
In addition, inmates themselves are concerned and on edge over the coronavirus threat, but they are also losing connections to family members and loved ones that are valuable to their public health.
Officials note that the constant flow of visitors, staff, and professionals increase the risk that an inmate contracts the virus. A defense lawyer told Global News that he thinks it is only a matter of time before coronavirus reaches the prison population.
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