Page - 373 - in VULNERABLE - The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19

373COVID-19 in Canadian Prisons: Policies, Practices and Concerns additional medication in anticipation of the possible challenges they may face in accessing health care in the community during the pan- demic.25 It is unclear what other governmental supports, if any, have been in place for those transitioned to the community.26 The information on institutional measures taken and preven- tion protocols adopted in provincial prisons to protect the remaining incarcerated population is inconsistent and vague. In some provinces, the measures listed on their websites are minimal, such as suspending visits from the outside.27 Other provinces noted their efforts to secure cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff.28 The little information available, generally from Ontario, on how mea- sures are being implemented suggests that there is a lack of testing, a failure to treat flu-like symptoms, and a failure to implement physical distancing measures (with as many as 30 people bunked in the same dorm) in some provincial institutions.29 Federally, CSC has resisted calls to consider federal prison depop- ulation.30 Not only have no release strategies been made public, but the Minister of Public Safety (responsible for federal corrections) has also made misleading statements regarding the release of individuals 25. Ontario, Ministry of the Solicitor General, Correctional Services Update on COVID- 19 (Toronto: Ministry of the Solicitor General, 9 April 2020), online: Ministry  of  the  Solicitor  General <perma.cc/73PL-SQ6D>; Saskatchewan, Government News and Media, supra note 22; Letter from Minister of Justice Cliff Cullen, supra note 22. 26. For a criticism of the lack of governmental release support and community-led initiatives see e.g. Nova Scotia Advocate, News Release, “Emergency Housing Project Launched for People Exiting Jail During COVID-19” (13 May 2020), online: Nova Scotia Advocate <perma.cc/Y8B8-H5DN>. 27. See Newfoundland and Labrador, Justice and Public Safety, supra note 22; New Brunswick, Office of the Premier, supra note 22; Alberta, Correctional Services, supra note 22; British Columbia, Corrections, supra note 22. 28. Ontario, Ministry of the Solicitor General, supra note 22; Saskatchewan, Government News and Media, supra note 22; Letter from Minister of Justice Cliff Cullen, supra note 22. 29. Jorge Barrera, “Tension, Fear Rising inside Dorm 3 of Ottawa Jail over COVID- 19”, CBC News (19 March 2020), online: <perma.cc/6CTQ-8XP8>; Liam Casey, “Guards at Ottawa Jail Refuse to Work over Lack of COVID-19 Screening Protocols”, Global  News (1 April 2020), online: <perma.cc/8FAL-HQNG>; Alyshah Hasham & Jim Rankin, “Eight Staff, 60 Inmates Test Positive for COVID-19 at Brampton Jail. Inmates Transferred to Toronto South Detention Centre”, The Star (20 April 2020), online: <perma.cc/VH3F-NZVN>. 30. Karen Harris, “Bill Blair Asks Prison, Parole Heads to Consider Releasing Some Inmates to Stop Spread of COVID-19”, CBC News (31 March 2020), online: <perma.cc/RUV6-RUAJ>; Terry Haig, “Corrections Canada Keeping Very Mum About COVID-19 Early Releases”, Radio Canada International (22 April 2020), online: <perma.cc/LNK6-AEC5>.