Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada, announced that Dr. Melissa Munn is the 2025 recipient of the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award, recognizing her nearly four decades of unwavering commitment to advancing human rights and correctional practice in Canada. The full release is available online. Contact leticia.gutierrez@oci-bec.gc.ca.
The 2024-25 Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator was tabled in Parliament on Oct. 30. This report presents the findings of six national investigations into the quality and accessibility of mental health care services in federal corrections. “There is no question: lack of access to timely, adequate, and appropriate mental health care … Read more
The 2024-25 Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) was tabled in Parliament. Correctional Investigator of Canada Dr. Ivan Zinger also announced that he would retire at the end of January 2026. The report is available online.
The 49th Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator was tabled in Parliament. The report includes three national investigations, including updates on the experiences and outcomes of Black and Indigenous persons in federal custody, as well as a review of restrictive confinement conditions and practices since the elimination of solitary confinement in 2019. … Read more
The 47th annual report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator was tabled in Parliament. The report includes a ground breaking investigation into sexual coercion and violence in federal prisons. In releasing his report, the Correctional Investigator of Canada, Dr. Ivan Zinger, remarked that sexual victimization exists in the shadows of penitentiaries and is largely ignored or … Read more
As of April 23, 2020, there are 193 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in federal penitentiaries, representing 1.4 per cent of the total inmate population. Five of 43 penitentiaries have experienced or are currently managing an active outbreak. There are outbreaks in penitentiaries located in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. According to data maintained but not publicly … Read more
Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada, is very pleased to announce that George Myette is the 2019 recipient of the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award. “Nationally recognized as a tireless leader, mentor, and advocate for social justice, Mr. Myette has dedicated nearly half a century to defending the rights of prisoners, advancing progressive policy … Read more
The Correctional Investigator of Canada, Dr. Ivan Zinger, and the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Marie-Claude Landry, released a joint report entitled Aging and Dying in Prison: An Investigation into the Experiences of Older Individuals in Federal Custody. “Conditions of confinement of older individuals in federal custody are lacking in terms of personal safety … Read more
Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada, announced that Renu Mandhane, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, is the 2018 recipient of the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award. “In a distinguished career, Ms. Mandhane has brought public attention to correctional practices that are discriminatory or violate the human rights of prisoners, including … Read more
The 44th Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator (2016-17) was tabled in Parliament The report addresses systemic issues in federal penitentiaries in key areas, and raises particular concern about conditions of confinement that serve no underlying correctional or rehabilitative purpose. The report contains 17 recommendations touching on all aspects of material and living conditions … Read more
