CPLA News
CPLA Appoints Jacinthe Lanctot a Life Member of the Association
The Canadian Prison Law Association has awarded senior prison law lawyer Jacinthe Lanctot a life membership in the Association. As described by Stephen Fineberg, another life member of the association, Jacinthe is known and respected for her honesty, dedication,...
CPLA urges federal government action on dry cells, strip searches
In June 2023 the CPLA provided submissions to the federal government urging strong regulatory limits on dry cells and strip searches. Dry celling, an extreme form of solitary confinement, is a cruel and degrading practice. As has been noted by the Correctional...
CPLA supports bill proposing alternatives to isolation and meaningful judicial remedies for prisoners
In April 2023, the CPLA provided submissions to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs expressing its support for Bill S-230. This bill was sponsored by Senator Kim Pate, former Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry...
CPLA advocates for robust, meaningful writ of habeas corpus
CPLA was granted leave to present arguments before the Ontario Court of Appeal in Dorsey v Canada, a case concerning the scope of the writ of habeas corpus. As was pointed out in the CPLA's factum, the writ of habeas corpus is one of the only tools federal prisoners...
CPLA resists further restrictions in the bail system
In response to incidents involving individuals accused of committing violent offences while on bail, there were calls to reform the bail system. In February 2023, the CPLA appeared before Ontario’s Standing Committee on Justice Policy, which was conducting a study of...
Fergus “Chip” O’Connor wins the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award
On December 8, 2021 our own Fergus (Chip) O’Connor was honoured with the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award. The award was established in honour of Mr. Ed McIsaac, who served as Executive Director of the Office of the Correctional Investigator for 18 years,...
CPLA fights life imprisonment with no meaningful chance for parole
In 2022 the CPLA appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada to intervene in R v Bissonnette, a case that addressed the constitutionality of section 745.41 of the Criminal Code, which permitted people to be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 50...
John Conroy Appointed a Life Member of the CPLA
Veteran prison law lawyer John Conroy has been awarded a life membership in the Canadian Prison Law Association. John has argued a number of leading cases in the field, and this award is not just a recognition of these achievements but, in a sense, is also a gift to...
Inmate advocates warn of COVID-19 spread in Canada’s correctional facilities
Inmate advocates warn of COVID-19 spread in Canada’s correctional facilities By Daniela Germano The Canadian Press Posted March 26, 2020 2:28 pm, Updated March 26, 2020 2:36 pm ...
Coronavirus: Prisoner, human rights groups file lawsuit over federal inmates’ safety
https://globalnews.ca/news/6933013/coronavirus-lawsuit-federal-inmates-safety/