NEWS
MEDIA ADVISORY: Indigenous and prison rights organizations at United Nations to call on Canada to redirect funding from prisons to Indigenous bodies
WHAT: Statement to United Nations Human Rights Council by Indigenous and prison rights organizations in response to Canada’s Universal Periodic Review WHEN: March 25, 2024 WHERE: 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland - live...
Request for inquest into the death of Kendal Campeau
On February 28, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the BC First Nations Justice Council, the First Nations Summit and Prisoners' Legal Services wrote to the Chief Coroner to request an inquest into the death of Kendal Campeau, of the Yellow Quill First Nation, who passed...
CAP and PLS demand Correctional Services Canada address warehousing of Indigenous prisoners and allegations of abuse
Unceded Coast Salish Territories (Burnaby, British Columbia) / Unceded Algonquin Territory (Ottawa, ON) -- Today, the Congress of Indigenous Peoples (CAP) and Prisoners’ Legal Services (PSL) wrote to Correctional Service Canada (“CSC”) to raise the alarm about the...
NEWS RELEASE: Human Rights hearing begins for formerly incarcerated Two-Spirit person challenging violence and abuse in federal prisons
Victoria, BC (Lək̓ʷəŋən traditional territories) – From Monday, February 12 until Thursday, February 15, 2024 the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal will hear the case of Nick Dinardo (they/them), a formerly incarcerated Two-Spirit and transfeminine member of the Piapot...
Join us for an Upcoming Webinar: The Realities of Prison or Jail Time in BC
Prisoners’ Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society of BC presents The Realities of Prison or Jail Time in BC June 19, 2024 at 4:30 - 6 p.m. PT Join Prisoners' Legal Services and the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society (CDAS) for this free webinar...
PLS is hiring a receptionist/admin assistant!
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a receptionist/administrative assistant who wants to use their skills to support the rights of people in prison. We are a small non-profit society...
News Release – Parole Board of Canada releases terminally ill man to live in the community
Unceded Coast Salish Territories (Burnaby, British Columbia) – Ed Speidel, an incarcerated person at Matsqui Institution represented by Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS), was granted parole on September 28, 2023. In deciding to grant Mr. Speidel’s application, the...
News Release: Indigenous organizations and legal aid clinic rebuke Canada for mass incarceration of Indigenous people, call for redirection of funding to Indigenous governments and organizations as part of Canada’s human rights review by the United Nations
Geneva – Today, Dene lawyer Jennifer Duncan is in Geneva leading up to Canada’s 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Pre-Session to draw international attention to Canada’s continued mass incarceration of Indigenous people. Jennifer Duncan is voicing the calls of the...
PLS is Hiring a Legal Advocate!
LEGAL ADVOCATE Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated advocates for the rights of people in prison. We are a small non-profit society providing legal services to people...
News Release: Correctional Service Canada finally releases video footage of guards’ excessive force against a person in prison
[Warning, this post includes graphic violence that may be disturbing to some readers/viewers.] Unceded Coast Salish Territories (Burnaby, British Columbia) – Today, Nicholas Dinardo, a Two-Spirit Indigenous person in federal custody, makes public a video of...
News Release: Report calls for significant shift of funding from Correctional Service Canada to Indigenous governments and organizations
Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services released Decarceration through Self-determination: Ending the mass incarceration of Indigenous people in Canada. The report calls on Canada to shift $1 billion each year from the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) to Indigenous...
News Release: Indigenous Woman Files Human Rights Complaint About Discrimination Against Transgender People in Prison
Unceded Coast Salish Territories (Burnaby, British Columbia) – Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) filed a human rights complaint on behalf of Fallon Aubee, a transgender Indigenous woman, against Correctional Service Canada (CSC). Ms. Aubee is a residential school...
News Release: Indigenous Man Asks Supreme Court to Hear Case About Unethical Health Care in Prisons
Ottawa, ON (unceded Algonquin Anishnaabeg Territory) – Today, Joey Toutsaint, an Indigenous person in federal custody, asked the Supreme Court of Canada to hear his case about unethical health care in prisons. Mr. Toutsaint has been in federal prison for most of his...
We’re hiring!
LEGAL ADVOCATE Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated advocate for the rights of people in prison with a focus on prison discipline. We are a small non-profit society...
News Release: PLS calls for CSC to consider systemic abuse of Indigenous people in prison in its investigation into the death of Kendal Campeau
Unceded Coast Salish Territories (Burnaby, BC) – Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) made submissions on behalf of the family of Kendal Campeau to the Correctional Service Canada’s (CSC) National Board of Investigations in...
Cruel COVID lockdowns continue despite public health recommendations
Prisoners' Legal Services wrote to CSC Commissioner Anne Kelly today with our concerns that Mission Medium has imposed another COVID lockdown, now in its 10th day, imposing cruel conditions of confinement and 24 hours of isolation without meaningful human contact....
Incarcerated Two-Spirit Person Sues Correctional Service of Canada for Denying Them Access to their Personal Information, Breaching Privacy Act and the Charter
Unceded Coast Salish Territories (Burnaby, BC) – Today, Nick Dinardo, a Two-Spirit Indigenous person in federal custody, filed a lawsuit against the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Mx. Dinardo is going to Federal Court to enforce their rights under the Privacy...
We are hiring a 2023 articling student!
2023 ARTICLING STUDENT JOB POSTING This position is for a two year term (articles and first year staff lawyer) to start in May or June, 2023. Burnaby, BC About the organization Prisoners’ Legal Services is a legal clinic serving people in federal and provincial...
We are hiring a receptionist/administrative assistant!
Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a receptionist/administrative assistant who wants to use their skills to support the rights of people in prison. We are a small non-profit society providing legal services to people in federal and provincial prisons in the...
PLS is hiring an Intake Worker/Administrative Assistant
Intake worker/Administrative Assistant Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a compassionate intake worker/administrative assistant who wants to use their skills to support the rights of people in prison. We are a small...
Letter to Commissioner Anne Kelly regarding correctional officers on treatment centre living units and officers cutting clothes off people in prison
Today, Prisoners' Legal Services wrote to Correctional Service Canada Commissioner Anne Kelly asking for policy reform to prohibit correctional officers from cutting the clothes off people in prison, and preventing correctional officers from being present on living...
News Release: Human rights complaint results in a settlement that will improve services for people in prison with opioid dependency
Burnaby, BC – Prisoners’ Legal Services Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) and the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) have come to an agreement to settle a complaint filed by PLS with the Canadian Human Rights Commission in 2018 about CSC’s administration of Opioid...
News Release: Human rights complaint alleges correctional officers used violence to cut off man’s clothes and break a bone in his face while he was restrained on suicide watch
Burnaby BC - Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services filed a human rights complaint on behalf of Perry DeFazio against the Correctional Service Canada for discrimination based on mental health disability. Perry has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a history of...
Letter to Premier Horgan calling on BC to fund initiatives for Indigenous-run alternatives to prison
Today, Prisoners' Legal Services wrote to Premier Horgan calling on BC to fund initiatives for Indigenous-run alternatives to prison. Click here to see the letter.
News Release: Prisoners’ Legal Services successful in securing the right to counsel for people held in Structured Intervention Units
November 30, 2021 – Burnaby, BC – On the two-year anniversary of the implementation of Structured Intervention Units (SIU), Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) has secured the right to be represented by legal counsel for people held in SIU. Despite legislation protecting...
News Release: PLS releases paper documenting Canada’s ongoing genocide against Indigenous people in its prisons
BURNABY, BC – September 29, 2021 Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services released a paper documenting government reports that confirm Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people held in its prisons constitutes a continuation of genocide and crimes against humanity. Indigenous...
PLS’ 2022 submissions to the BC Finance Committee
On September 2, 2021, Prisoners’ Legal Services presented to the BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. You can read our written submission here.
Information for class members of the administrative segregation class actions
Beginning on September 7, 2021, anyone who was in administrative segregation in a federal penitentiary in Canada a) for 16 consecutive days or more after March 3, 2011, or b) for any amount of time after July 20, 2009, and you were diagnosed with a mental disorder or...
NEWS RELEASE: Two-Spirit prisoner files human rights complaint over violence and harassment in federal prisons designated for men
BURNABY, BC - August 19, 2021 - Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services (“PLS”) filed a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission on behalf of Nick Dinardo, a 29-year-old Two-Spirit and transfeminine member of the Piapot First Nation, against Correctional Service...
We are hiring a contract legal advocate to focus on Indigenous decarceration
LEGAL ADVOCATE - Indigenous Prisoners' Voices Project Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated advocate for prisoners’ rights for a 12 month contract position. The legal...
PLS Submission to Public Safety Committee
On Friday June 18, 2021, Prisoners' Legal Services made submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on CSC's response to COVID-19, its implementation of Structured Intervention Units and sexual violence in federal...
We’re hiring an articling student!
Prisoners' Legal Services ARTICLING STUDENT JOB POSTING Two year term - May 2021 to April 2023 Burnaby, BC About the organization Prisoners’ Legal Services is a legal clinic serving federal and provincial prisoners in British Columbia. We assist prisoners with issues...
NEWS RELEASE: Indigenous prisoner faces abuse in CSC “Treatment Centre”
BURNABY, BC – Nick Dinardo, a Two Spirit prisoner diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, reports being met with violence by correctional officers while in a CSC “treatment centre.” Nick is a member of the Piapot First Nation, and their family are residential...
We’re hiring!
LEGAL ADVOCATE Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated advocate for prisoners’ rights, with a focus on liberty rights. We are a small non-profit society providing legal...
PLS’ 2021 submission to the BC Finance Committee
On June 6, 2020, Prisoners' Legal Services made a submission to the BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. You can read our submission here.
Solitary by another name
The ongoing use of isolation in Canada’s federal prisons
News Release: Report exposes Canada’s use of widespread isolation in its prisons
Burnaby BC Today, the West Coast Prison Justice Society and Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) released Solitary by Another Name: The ongoing use of isolation in Canada's federal prisons. The report identifies ways that the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) continues to...
We are hiring a contract legal advocate to focus on Indigenous decarceration
LEGAL ADVOCATE Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated advocate for prisoners’ rights for a 14 month contract position. The legal advocate will focus on identifying...
NEWS RELEASE: Prison Justice Advocates Call for Formal Investigation into Abuse of Man with Mental Health Disabilities Held in Solitary Confinement
Burnaby, BC - Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services (“PLS”) called on Correctional Service Canada Commissioner Anne Kelly to convene a formal investigation into the abuse of a federal prisoner being held in solitary confinement. Thirty-one year old Shane Yukich has been...
NEWS RELEASE: Correctional Service Canada uses violence and isolation to respond to self-harm and distress, human rights complaint alleges
BURNABY, BC – July 31, 2020 – Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services (“PLS”) filed a human rights complaint on behalf of Nicholas Dinardo, a 28-year-old member of the Piapot First Nation, against Correctional Service Canada (“CSC”). Nick has a history of trauma and...
We’re hiring!
LEGAL ADVOCATE Prisoners’ Legal Services, Burnaby, BC Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated advocate for prisoners’ rights, with a focus on liberty rights. We are a small non-profit society providing legal...
PLS urges Minister Blair to depopulate prisoners with low public safety risk
Prisoners' Legal Services is deeply concerned with the rate that COVID-19 is spreading in federal penitentiaries, and at BC's Mission Institution in particular. The federal government has done nothing to meaningfully protect prisoners, staff and the broader public...
Medical professionals call for depopulation of prisons and jails
On April 6, 2020, Prisoners' Legal Services and Dr. Claire Bodkin wrote to federal and BC provincial government authorities and health officers to share a letter, signed by over 100 doctors, nurses and other health providers across Canada, urgently calling for the...
PLS calls for decarceration during COVID-19 pandemic
Prisoners' Legal Services is among many organizations and individuals calling on provincial and federal governments to reduce incarceration to prevent the spread of COVID-19 inside prisons. You can read our letter to government here: 20200319 - Call to Reduce...
Joey Toutsaint on CBC’s The Fifth Estate
Follow this link to see the Fifth Estate's story about CSC's continued use of solitary confinement on Joey Toutsaint, 12 years after the tragic death of Ashley Smith:...
B.C. Court of Appeal confirms prolonged solitary confinement is unconstitutional in Canada
https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/06/24/bc-court-upholds-decision-striking-down-canadas-solitary-confinement-laws.html
Call to action on the eve of National Indigenous Peoples Day
Today, Prisoners' Legal Services called on the governments of Canada and British Columbia to take immediate and dramatic action to address the crisis of the over-representation of Indigenous prisoners. Click here to see our open letter to government. We make this call...
Damage/Control: Use of force and the cycle of violence and trauma in BC’s federal and provincial prisons
use of force report online
News Release: Report calls use of force practices in BC and federal prisons traumatic and harmful and makes recommendations for change
Burnaby BC Today, the West Coast Prison Justice Society and Prisoners’ Legal Services (“PLS”) released Damage/Control: Use of force and the cycle of violence and trauma in BC’s federal and provincial prisons. The report analyzes law and policy governing the use of...
PLS’ submission to the Senate Committee on Bill C-83
Bill C-83 has undergone some amendments since we made our submissions to government in November, 2018. However, PLS is still concerned that the Bill does not take Canada's use of isolation out of the United Nation's definition of solitary confinement, and recent case...
The discriminatory effect of security classification policy – Open letter to CSC Commissioner Anne Kelly
The Correctional Service Canada classifies prisoners to higher security if they have a high "institutional adjustment" rating. Prisoners' Legal Services is concerned that this factor is being applied in a discriminatory way against vulnerable groups, including...
Advocates go to court over transfer of Sask. man from prison to psychiatric facility
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/joey-toutsaint-court-hearing-vancouver-1.5094745
Sask. prisoner kept in segregation for more than 2,000 days in dire need of help, say advocates
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/segregation-p-1.5043366
News Release: Suicidal Man Held in Long-Term Segregation Files Injunction for Treatment
February 27, 2019 – Burnaby – Prisoners’ Legal Services Today, Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) filed an injunction in federal court on behalf of Joey Toutsaint, a federal prisoner with serious mental health issues who has spent more than 2,000 days in segregation in...
News Release: Kent Institution Cancels Legal Clinic for Segregated Prisoners
February 22, 2019 – Burnaby – Prisoners’ Legal Services Maximum security Kent Institution has canceled Prisoners’ Legal Services’ legal clinics for segregated prisoners, despite the BC Court of Appeal’s January 7, 2019 order that segregated prisoners must be provided...
PLS’ Submissions on Bill C-83 – Amendments to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act
PLS’ Submissions on Bill C-83 – Amendments to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act On November 19, 2018, Prisoners’ Legal Services made submissions to the federal government on Bill C-83, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Bill C-83...
Guards followed policy in death of Fort St. James man, union says
Guards followed policy in death of Fort St. James man, union says
Canada’s slow and insufficient efforts at ending solitary confinement
Solitary – A Case for Abolition
WCPJS/PLS has released a report on the use of solitary confinement in BC and Canada. Solitary: A Case for Abolition is a detailed prescription for the best practices in abolishing solitary confinement in Canada. This project is funded by the Law Foundation of...
Prisoners without Canadian citizenship due human rights protections: Federal Court of Appeal
Proposed changes to Corrections Act could narrow community release options for Indigenous people, says senator
News Release: Prisoners without immigration status in Canada win human rights
Prisoners’ Legal Services – Burnaby BC – October 22, 2018 On October 18, 2018, the Federal Court of Appeal decided that federal prisoners without immigration status in Canada are protected by the Canadian Human Rights Act. The Act protects the human rights of...
Liberals move to end solitary confinement of federal prisoners
International law ethical guidelines for medical professionals working in prisons
International law ethical guidelines for medical professionals working in prisons International law requires health care providers who work in prisons not to participate actively or passively in torture or other cruel treatment or punishment. Prisoners’ Legal Services...
Submissions regarding Canada’s Third Universal Periodic Review
Submissions regarding Canada's Third Universal Periodic Review On July 16, 2018, PLS attended a meeting with representatives from the Department of Canadian Heritage regarding Canada’s United Nations Human Rights Council third universal periodic review of Canada. 107...
PLS appears before the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights
PLS appears before the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights On August 11, 2018, Prisoners' Legal Services appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights for its study on the human rights of prisoners in Canada. We recommend that Canada invest in...
BC College of Physicians and Surgeons must address ethical issues surrounding solitary confinement
August 13, 2018 – Burnaby BC – Prisoners’ Legal Services On August 9, 2018, the Health Professions Review Board issued an important decision requiring the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons to directly confront the issue of medical professionals’ ethical duties...
We’re hiring! Contract Lawyer/Prisoner Legal Education Project
We're hiring! Contract Lawyer/Prisoner Legal Education Project Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) is looking for a passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated lawyer for a 10-month contract position. We are a small non-profit society providing legal...
News Release: Human rights complaint calls for end to solitary for prisoners with mental disabilities and independent health care in federal prisons
BURNABY, BC, June 20, 2018 Today, the West Coast Prison Justice Society (WCPJS) filed a human rights complaint against the Correctional Service of Canada on behalf of prisoners with mental disabilities. “CSC is still using solitary confinement against prisoners...
Powdered milk in prison? Judge says it’s not cruel and unusual
We’re hiring! Legal Advocate
LEGAL ADVOCATEPrisoners’ Legal Services is looking for a passionate, problem solving, empathetic and dedicated advocate for prisoners’ rights, with a focus on women prisoners, youth and health care issues.We are a small non-profit society providing legal services to...
Human rights complaint filed over federal inmates’ access to opioid treatment
Human rights complaint alleges lack of harm-reduction programs puts Canadian inmates at risk of overdose
News Release: Human Rights of Federal Prisoners with Opioid Use Disorder Being Violated, Says Prison Justice Group
June 4, 2018 – Burnaby BC Today, the West Coast Prison Justice Society (WCPJS) filed a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission against Correctional Service Canada on behalf of all federal prisoners who have been denied life-saving treatment for opioid use...
Canada’s prison agency argues segregation doesn’t affect inmates’ health
Provincial inmates say they suffered when jail doctors switched them off community prescribed medications
Transgender inmates in federal prison to be housed according to gender identity
Federal transgender inmates to be housed, addressed according to gender identity
Solitary Confinement Public Panel Talk
Join us next Tuesday, February 6th for a free panel talk on the BC Supreme Court's decision to end indefinite solitary confinement. On January 17, 2018, the BCCLA won a constitutional challenge to indefinite solitary confinement in federal prisons across Canada, but...
Joint News Release: Changes to the way transgender offenders are accommodated in Canada’s federal prison system
An important collaboration spanning several years between the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), and Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) has resulted in changes to the way transgender offenders are accommodated in Canada’s federal prison system.
Solitary-confinement veto a chance to address mental health: advocate
Canada’s solitary-confinement laws are unconstitutional, Ontario judge rules
Status of Women – Study on Indigenous Women Prisoners
Prisoners’ Legal Services executive director, Jennifer Metcalfe, appeared today before the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women as part of their current study on Indigenous women prisoners. Click here to read her speaking notes.
Ms. Metcalfe called on government to engage with First Nations and Indigenous organizations for self-determination in the administration of correctional services, and to ensure that they are well resourced to provide full wrap-around support for women who have experienced multi-generational trauma.
Inside/Out: A Prison Memoir at the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
Join us at the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival for Inside/Out, a memoir about life in the Canadian prison system. Inside/Out follows Patrick Keating's journey as a child growing up in Montreal, getting into drugs and crime, entering the juvenile detention...
Prison justice group hopes to tackle ‘gaps’ in provincial, federal prisons
CSC Policy: Consideration of Indigenous Social History
Correctional Service Canada is currently updating policy regarding the consideration of Indigenous Social History in the administration of Indigenous prisoners’ sentences. PLS supports these initiatives and provided feedback on making this policy even stronger. You can read our comments here.
Infamous ‘Balcony Rapist’ living in Surrey; residents upset neighbourhood wasn’t notified
Prisoners’ Legal Services recommends reforms to British Columbia correctional laws.
Prisoners' Legal Services recommends reforms to British Columbia correctional laws. Today, August 30, 2017, Prisoners' Legal Services wrote to Premier John Horgan, Attorney General David Eby and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth with a list of recommendations for...
Correctional Service Canada is failing to treat prisoners with drug addictions. Read our letter.
Correctional Service Canada is failing to treat prisoners with drug addictions. Read our letter. On July 17, 2017, Prisoners' Legal Services wrote to Correctional Service Canada on behalf of 33 prisoners struggling with addiction who are unable to get appropriate...
Transgender inmate in B.C. wins right to move to a federal prison for women
Prisoners’ Legal Services
302-7818 6th Street
Burnaby, BC
Tel: 604-636-0470
Fax: 604-636-0480
Email: info@pls-bc.ca
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Help us to continue to fight for the human rights of prisoners in BC! PLS is currently litigating the important systemic issues of the segregation of prisoners with mental disabilities, access to health care, transgender prisoner rights, and access to religion and Indigenous spirituality. We need help to continue to do this important work. Donations to West Coast Prison Justice Society are non-charitable and are not tax deductible.
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