Complete the COVID-19 Ontario Jail Tracking Form
Crisis in Corrections.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, loved ones and supporters of those inside have been left in the dark without up-to-date public data on COVID-19 outbreaks within jails and prisons. There has been no transparency or follow-through from provincial and federal governments regarding the implementation of protocols that ensure the safe, humane, and dignified treatment of prisoners who are exposed to and diagnosed with COVID-19.
It is concerning that there is no reliable public information about COVID-19 testing and positive diagnoses in Ontario jails. This information is vital for the health of all Ontarians, but especially Indigenous and Black communities who are targeted by police and heavily represented in our carceral systems. Rather than implementing recommendations from the Ontario Human Rights Commission and honouring the calls of prisoners, their loved ones, service providers and supporters for immediate decarceration, diversion measures, and equitable access to personal-protective equipment and vaccine information – the Ontario government has publicly ignored the crisis inside.
We Need Your Help.
In response to this on-going crisis, Toronto Prisoners’ Rights Project has developed an anonymous form for the purpose of tracking COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in Ontario jails. This form can be filled out by family members, friends and supporters of loved ones inside, recently released prisoners or prisoners themselves.
Due to the blatant disregard of prisoners' health and overall wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reaching out to prisoners and the community to assist us in gathering accurate numbers to fully understand how detrimental the pandemic has been for those on the inside. With this information we will further develop an accurate, up to date tool for the public to use.
Please note that individuals who are currently incarcerated can contact us through our Jail Hotline to ask a volunteer to assist them in completing this form.