Prisoners' Rights

BCCLA: Cities must set up prison polling stations for elections
The BCCLA has written letters to nine cities in B.C. and Corrections B.C. to ensure polling stations are set up for prisoners to vote in municipal elections taking place in October. The Local Government Act disqualifies from voting those persons who are prisoners serving more serious (indictable) offences and those who are being held in custody after being found not guilty on account of mental disorder. But prisoners who are awaiting trial in prison (remand) and those convicted of summary offences who are in prison have the legal right to vote.
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July 7, 2011

Rights Groups Call on Government to End Abusive Solitary Confinement in Women’s Prisons
The BCCLA and other rights groups are calling on the Minister of Public Safety to end the use of the Management Protocol program in women’s prisons.
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Mar 31, 2011

BCCLA demands Action Plan, not more talk, to end female prisoners’ solitary confinement
Today the media reports that the Correctional Service of Canada has publicly stated that it is “moving away” from a controversial solitary confinement program called the Management Protocol. The statement comes in the wake of a lawsuit the BC Civil Liberties Association launched last week that seeks to abolish the Management Protocol and long term solitary confinement in Canadian prisons. Under the Management Protocol, women can be held in solitary confinement for months and years at a time.
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Mar 14, 2011

BCCLA launches lawsuit to challenge woman’s lengthy solitary confinement in federal prison
On behalf of 24-year old prisoner BobbyLee Worm, the BCCLA filed a lawsuit to end the practice of holding women in solitary confinement for months and years at a time in women’s prisons.
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Mar 7, 2011

Prisoner deserves to eat after 13 months without teeth
The BCCLA is calling for B.C. Corrections to provide a prisoner with dentures as the man has lost a dramatic amount of weight after a prison dentist pulled his remaining teeth.
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Feb 13, 2011

Solitary confinement of prisoners
The BCCLA joined with other concerned groups to express grave concern regarding the pervasive use of solitary confinement in Canadian prisons, particularly where it concerns those with mental illness.
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Letter to the Minister of Public Safety >>
March 23, 2010

BCCLA Calls for Reinstating Prison Parenting Program The BCCLA is calling on the provincial government to reinstate the mother-child program at the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women. Tthe BCCLA has released a position paper on child apprehensions in BC correctional facilities and called on the Solicitor General and Minister for Children and Family Development to bring the program back.
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Letter to Ministers van Dongen and Christensen >>
BCCLA position paper >>
December 12, 2008

Robert Latimer Appeal Allowed
"Decision of December 5, 2007 to deny day parole is reversed; You are to be immediately released on day parole..." Decision of National Parole Board.
Appeal decision >>
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BCCLA president Jason Gratl's submission >>
February 27, 2008

Robert Latimer Files Appeal of Parole Denial
Robert Latimer filed an appeal of the denial of his request for day parole at the Appeal Division of the National Parole Board this Wednesday, January 23, 2008. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association strongly supports his release into day parole.
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Letter to National Parole Board >>
January 23, 2008

Robert Latimer's Appeal of Parole Decision The BCCLA is supporting Mr. Latimer's administrative appeal of the National Parole Board's decision to deny him day parole.
December 19, 2007

BCCLA denounces government plan for "three strikes" laws.
September 22, 2006

Letter to the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Justice regarding Canada's agreement with Afghanistan to transfer prisoners.
March 31, 2006

Supreme Court victory for prisoners and habeas corpus.
December 23, 2005

Proposed legislation allows unconstitutional strip searches at Vancouver jail.
May 17, 2004

LEGAL CASES

POSITIONS