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News Releases

• Correctional Investigator’s Latest Annual Report Issues Groundbreaking Investigations into the Experiences of Maximum-Security and Life-Sentenced Prisoners in Canada, 2024-10-29 (HTML)
   
• Susan Haines Receives 2023 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award, 2023-12-05 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator and Canadian Human Rights Commission issue joint open letter urging Canada’s ratification of OPCAT, 2023-11-10 (HTML)(PDF) 
   
• Correctional Investigator’s 2022-23 Annual Report calls for the reform of Indigenous Corrections in Canada, 2023-11-02 (HTML)  
   
• Statement from the Correctional Investigator of Canada In Recognition of the Official Visit to Canada of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, 2023-09-21 (HTML)  
   
• Louise Leonardi Receives 2022 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award, 2022-12-08 (HTML)
   
• Proportion of Indigenous Women in Federal Custody Nears 50%, 2021-12-17 (HTML)
   
• Fergus (Chip) O’Connor Receives the 2021 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2021-12-08 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Releases Third Status Update on COVID-19 in Federal Corrections , 2021-02-23 (HTML) (PDF)           
   
• Ms. Joey Twins Receives the 2020 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2020-12-10 (HTML)
   
• George Myette Receives the 2019 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2019-11-26 (HTML)
   
• CCRA 2.0 - Strategic Planning Exercise: Legislative Framework Consistent with Evidence-Based Policy and Best Practices, 2019-05-14 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator of Canada and the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission Call on Federal Government to Respect the Dignity of Older Persons in Federal Custody , 2019-02-28 (HTML)
   
• Renu Mandhane Receives the 2018 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2018-12-05 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator’s 2017-18 Annual Report calls for more openness, transparency, and accountability in Federal Corrections , 2018-10-30 (HTML)
   
• Rick Sauvé Receives the 2017 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2017-12-12 (HTML)
   
• Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator Focuses on Conditions of Confinement , 2017-10-31 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator of Canada and Ontario Child Advocate Release Joint Report on the Experience of Young Adult Offenders in Federal Custody , 2017-10-03 (HTML)
   
• Statement from the Correctional Investigator on Release of Special Report to Parliament - Fatal Response: An Investigation into the Preventable Death of Matthew Ryan Hines , 2017-05-02 (HTML)
   
• Statement by Howard Sapers on Appointment of New Correctional Investigator , 2016-12-30 (HTML)
   
• Elizabeth White, Executive Director, St. Leonard’s Society of Canada, Receives the 2016 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2016-12-06 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Concerned by Rising Use of Force Incidents Involving Inflammatory Agents “Current review and control framework for use of pepper spray behind bars inadequate,” says Correctional Investigator , 2016-10-31 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Releases New Report on Death in Custody, Information Sharing and Disclosure Practices in Federal Corrections , 2016-08-02 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Reflects on Key Challenges in his latest Annual Report to Parliament , 2016-03-10 (HTML)
   
• Statement of the Correctional Investigator of Canada: Release of the Québec Ombudsman’s Special Report Detention Conditions, Administration of Justice and Crime Prevention in Nunavik , 2016-02-18 (HTML) (PDF, 173kb)
   
• John W. Conroy Q.C. Receives the 2015 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2016-02-03 (HTML)
   
• Office of the Correctional Investigator Releases Statistical Report Administrative Segregation in Federal Corrections: 10 Year Trends Federal Corrections Overuses Segregation to Manage Inmates , 2015-05-28 (HTML)
   
• Elizabeth Parkinson Receives the 2014 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2014-11-13 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Reports on Overcoming Barriers to Community Reintegration , 2014-10-08 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Releases Report on Federal Inmate Suicides , 2014-09-10 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Releases Investigation into Natural Cause Deaths in Federal Penitentiaries , 2014-02-17 (HTML)
   
• The Changing Face of Canada’s Prisons: Correctional Investigator Reports on Ethno-Cultural Diversity in Corrections , 2013-11-26 (HTML)
   
• Graham Stewart Receives the 2013 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award , 2013-10-24 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Releases Report on the Management of Chronic Self-Injury Among Federally Sentenced Women , 2013-09-30 (HTML)
   
• Special Report on Aboriginal Corrections Tabled in Parliament 2013-03-07 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Receives Diamond Jubilee Award 2013-02-25 (HTML)
   
• Jean-Claude Bernheim Receives the 2012 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award 2012-12-11 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Finds Measures to Manage Prison Self-injury Inadequate 2012-10-23 (HTML)
   
• Kim Pate Receives the 2011 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award 2011-12-08 (HTML)  
   
• Correctional Investigator Releases 2010-11 Annual Report: Growing Old Behind Bars – Grey Wave Hits Canadian Prisons 2011-11-01 (HTML)
   
• Mary Campbell Receives the 2010 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award 2010-12-08 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator Releases 2009-10 Annual Report: Conditions of Confinement Jeopardize Safe, Effective Correctional Practice 2010-11-05 (HTML)
   
• Report finds Serious Gaps in the Planning and Delivery of Mental Health Services for Federally Sentenced Offenders 2010-09-23 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Service of Canada Challenged to Apply Lessons Learned and Prevent Deaths in Custody 2010-09-08 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator welcomes recent progress in the Correctional Service of Canada's response to prevent deaths in custody 2010-03-25 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Service of Canada's Latest Response to Ashley Smith Recommendations is Improving, but Efforts to Date have not Translated into Desired Results 2009-12-18 (HTML)
   
• The Situation for Aboriginal People under Federal Sentence Remains Unacceptable 2009-11-13 (HTML)

OCI in the News

• Ontario Prisoners Are Passing Out from Extreme Heat – Grind Magazine - 2025-08-08 (HTML)
   
• Canadian woman settles suit over being tortured in “dry cell” solitary confinement – World Socialist - 2025-07-01 (HTML)
   
• 36. Provide culturally relevant services to inmates on issues such as substance abuse, family and domestic violence – CBC - 2025-03-25 (HTML)
   
• 37. Provide more supports for Aboriginal programming in halfway houses and parole services – CBC - 2025-03-25 (HTML)
   
• 35. Eliminate barriers to the creation of additional Aboriginal healing lodges within the federal correctional system – CBC - 2025-03-25 (HTML)
   
• The Annual Proulx Roundtable 2025 | Made in Canadian Prisons: An Urgent Discussion about Prison Labour in Canada – McGill University - 2025-03-03 (HTML)
   
• Thousands of cellphones are smuggled into Canadian prisons. Advocates are proposing an unusual solution – CTV News - 2025-01-30 (HTML)
   
• Convicted romance scammer appears to start new online dating profile — from behind bars - CTV News - 2025-01-29 (HTML)
   
• Inside Dorchester Penitentiary, Part I: drugs, drones & dogs – Warktimes - 2024-11-21 (HTML)
   
• Almost three quarters of women inmates in Edmonton are Indigenous – St. Albert Gazette - 2024-10-13 (HTML)
   
• Prison MAiD safe: Correctional Service of Canada – The Catholic Register - 2024-06-27 (HTML)
   
• Why are Indigenous people over-incarcerated in Canada? – TVO.org - 2024-06-13 (HTML)
   
• Ombudsman warns mass disturbances possible at prisons as assaults on prison staff and inmates surge – The Globe and Mail - 2024-06-14 (HTML)
   
• Charges dropped against ex-Edmonton women's prison employee accused of sexually assaulting inmate – Edmonton Journal - 2024-06-05 (HTML)
   
• Secwépemc family launches human rights complaint against Correctional Service Canada – APTN News - 2024-04-25 (HTML)
   
• Police track down escaped Idaho prison gang member and accomplice, say pair may have killed two on run – The Globe and Mail - 2024-03-21 (HTML)
   
• The daily struggles to survive as Indigenous – The Hill Times - 2024-02-25 (HTML)
   
• Friends of one of Bernardo's victims call on Ottawa to do more to uphold victims' rights – CBC - 2023-11-30 (HTML)
   
• 'A national travesty:' Prison watchdog urges reform to tackle Indigenous over-incarceration – CBC - 2023-11-02 (HTML)
   
• Canadian prisons 'disturbingly and unconscionably Indigenized': corrections watchdog – North Shore News - 2023-11-02 (HTML)
   
• Prison system continues to ignore Indigenous Peoples: report – APTN News - 2023-11-02 (HTML)
   
• Some Canadian prisons now have clinics where inmates can freely use smuggled drugs – National Post - 2023-09-14 (HTML) 
   
• FIRST READING: Canada is putting prisoners to death again (with MAID this time) – National Post - 2023-05-04 (HTML)
   
• Can a deputy commissioner of Indigenous corrections make a difference in prison? – APTN News - 2023-04-25 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Investigator repeats call to prohibit Medical Assistance in Dying inside Federal Penitentiaries – APTN News - 2023-04-20 (HTML) 
   
• 'Extremely concerning': Correctional investigator slams Edmonton's maximum-security prison, again – Edmonton Journal - 2022-11-04 (HTML)
   
• Tackle social issues that lead to incarceration, says Sask. advocate in wake of prison watchdog report – CBC News - 2022-11-04 (HTML)
   
• Prison watchdog raises concerns again about conditions at Edmonton Institution – CBC News - 2022-11-03 (HTML)
   
• Canada failing Black, Indigenous prisoners as overrepresentation persists: report – CBC News - 2022-11-02 (HTML)
   
• Canada’s prison system has changed little for Indigenous Peoples: Report – APTN News - 2022-11-01 (HTML)
   
• Indigenous women make up half female population in Canada's federal prisons: paper – Xinhua - 2022-05-10 (HTML)
   
• ‘Shocking and shameful’: For the first time, Indigenous women make up half the female population in Canada’s federal prisons – The Globe and Mail - 2022-05-05 (HTML)
   
• Dry cells to be banned for women prisoners suspected of carrying contraband in bodies – CBC News - 2022-04-11 (HTML)
   
• An action plan for decarceration – CBA National Magazine - 2022-02-02 (HTML)
   
• Defence lawyers, inmate sound alarm over conditions inside Edmonton Institution – CBC News - 2022-01-25 (HTML)
   
• N.S. jail attack: debate on whether sentences tied to 2019 beating will curb violence - Lethbridge News Now - 2021-12-23 (HTML)
   
• Indigenous women make up almost half the female prison population, ombudsman says – CBC News - 2021-12-18 (HTML)
   
• Few inmates using flawed needle exchange program meant to protect against HIV: report – LakeLandToday.ca - 2021-12-18 (HTML)
   
• Indigenous women make up nearly 50% of prison population: Report – APTN News - 2021-12-17 (HTML)
   
• Justice Canada study finds own criminal courts stacked against Indigenous accused – APTN News - 2021-10-19 (HTML)
   
• Correctional investigator's office created after KP riot – The Kingston Whig Standard - 2021-04-13 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Service of Canada fails to track employees accused of sexual assault in prisons – The Globe and Mail - 2021-03-08 (HTML)
   
• Investigator flags higher COVID-19 cases among inmates, CBC International, Radio-Canada - 2021-02-23 (HTML)
   
• Correctional investigator to review Indigenous programs in prisons – The Discourse - 2021-01-24 (HTML)
   
• Correctional Prisoners owed ‘remedy’ for harsh conditions in prisons amid COVID, says watchdog, The Hill Times - 2021-01-15 (HTML)
   
• Canada has a ‘responsibility’ to vaccinate elderly and vulnerable inmates, Blair says after Conservative outcry, The Toronto Star -2021-01-06 (HTML)   
   
• Compassionate release should be prioritized over MAID in Canadian prisons, says expert, CBC Radio 2020-11-17 (HTML)      
   
• Federal prison investigators press for changes in use of 'dry cells', CBC News 2020-11-10 (HTML)      
   
• Corrections watchdog calls for overhaul of how Canada responds to sex assaults in prison, Edmonton Journal 2020-10-27 (HTML)      
   
• Blair promises strategy to curb sexual violence in prisons after watchdog warns of systemic abuse, CBC News 2020-10-27 (HTML)      
   
• A call for action on sexualized violence in prisons, Radio-Canada International 2020-10-27 (HTML)      
   
• Bias behind bars: A Globe investigation finds a prison system stacked against Black and Indigenous inmates, The Globe and Mail 2020-10-24 (HTML)      
   
• Prison watchdog has ‘grave’ concerns that CSC rates Indigenous, Black inmates as higher risk, The Hill Times 2020-07-15 (HTML)      
   

Speeches and Remarks

• Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (APPA) (44th Parliament, 1st Session) 2024-10-01 (HTML)
   
• Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (44th Parliament, 1st Session) 2024-03-18 (HTML)
   
  • Briefs and Other Documents - Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (44th Parliament, 1st Session) 2024-03-18 (HTML)
     
• Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: Evidence - INAN (44-1) - No. 98 - House of Commons of Canada 2024-02-28 (HTML)
   
• Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (44th Parliament, 1st Session) 2024-02-07 (HTML)
   
• Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Evidence - SECU (44-1) - No. 85 - House of Commons of Canada 2023-11-27 (HTML)
   
• Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Evidence - SECU (44-1) - No. 56 - House of Commons of Canada 2023-02-10 (HTML)
   
• Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (APPA) (44th Parliament, 1st Session) 2022-11-23 (HTML)
   
• Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs 2021-02-02 (HTML)               
   
• University of Ottawa – Convocation and Honorary Doctorate Address 2016-06-19 (HTML)               
   
• Speaking Notes for Mr. Howard Sapers, 2013 Gall Conference, Edmonton, Alberta 2013-12-10 (HTML)               
   
• Health Care and Federal Corrections: An Ombudsman’s Perspective 2013-10-03 (HTML)               
   
• Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples 2013-04-30 (HTML)               
   
• Respecting Rights in Canadian Prisons: An Ombudsman’s Perspective 2013-04-17 (HTML)               
   
• National Forum on Community Safety and Ending Violence 2013-04-09 (HTML)               
   
• Bill C-293 (An Act to amend the CCRA - vexatious complainants) 2012-12-12 Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs               
   
• Bill C-350 (An Act to amend the CCRA - accountability of offenders), 2012-05-08 Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security               
   
• Bill C-293 (An Act to amend the CCRA - vexatious complainants), 2012-04-24 Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security               
   
• Correctional Investigator's remarks to the Annual Conference of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada 2012-03-16 (HTML)               
   
• Speaking Notes for Mr. Howard Sapers , A Legacy of Missed Opportunities: The Case of Ashley Smith: Health Law Institute Open Seminar Series 2011-11-23 (HTML)               
   
• Speaking Notes for Mr. Howard Sapers , 2011 Alberta Law Review Lecture, University of Alberta 2011-03-08 (HTML)               
   
• Speaking Notes for Mr. Howard Sapers and Dr. Ivan Zinger , Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs 2009-09-30 (HTML)               
   
• Speaking Notes for Mr. Howard Sapers and Dr. Ivan Zinger , Appearance before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security 2009-06-02 (HTML)               
   
• Speaking Notes for Mr. Howard Sapers , Appearance before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights 2009-05-25 (HTML) 

Presentations

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