Failure to protect essential prisoner workers undermines public safety

The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading through federal prisons. As of December 27, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has reported 952 positive cases and two deaths among federal prisoners. The outbreaks show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

Prisoners and advocates have called for action to combat the spread and keep prisoners and surrounding communities safe, including demands for decarceration and the placement of prisoners as a priority group for receiving COVID-19 vaccines. But prisoners are not only experiencing the pandemic as incarcerated people, they are also essential workers facing many of the same health and safety issues as vulnerable workers outside of prisons. (Continue reading ...)

Hopperton awaits parole decision after lawyer argues right to freedom of expression - Samantha Craggs · CBC News

· Posted: Jul 04, 2019 3:54 PM ET | Last Updated: July 4

A Hamilton anarchist whose parole was revoked after speaking at a city hall public meeting about being "violent if necessary" is waiting to hear if they'll remain in jail.

Cedar Hopperton had an Ontario Parole Board hearing Thursday morning that lasted more than two hours, says Hopperton's lawyer, Asaf Rashid. He expects a decision late Thursday or early Friday. ...

Show description (from their site):

On this month’s show we take some in depth looks at prison justice issues in Canada.

Nous entendons Lucie Lemonde, professeure en droit carcéral basée à Montréal et porte-parole de la Coalition d'action et de surveillance sur l'incarcération des femmes au Québec, qui retrace l’histoire du droit carcéral et de la lutte des prisonniers au Canada, ainsi que la situation des femmes, le travail et l’isolement dans le système carcéral actuel.

We then play an interview with Toronto based criminal, immigration lawyer and prison justice organizer Asaf Rashid in which we discuss the right of prisoners to unionize.

Media

Failure to protect essential prisoner workers undermines public safety

COMMENTARY: Migrant workers' rights still on backburner in Nova Scotia

STACEY GOMEZ, ASAF RASHID, JESSICA TELLEZ & WANDA THOMAS • Guest Opinion - The Chronicle Herald - Oct. 23, 2020

Several groups, unions in Nova Scotia call for action from province on migrant worker rights

Noushin Ziafati - The Chronicle Herald - Aug. 6, 2020

Hamilton activist awaits decision following parole board hearing

Hopperton awaits parole decision after lawyer argues right to freedom of expression

Prisoner's justice and unionization in Canada

Prison labour