Managing the remand population: challenges facing correctional services and opportunities for change in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic (PID059)

11.45am – 12.30pm EDT, 27 October 2022 ‐ 45 mins

Parallel Workshops

Corrections is often criticized for high rates of incarceration and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples and visible minorities, despite the fact that they have no control over who is arrested and, subsequently, brought to their facilities. In many jurisdictions, the bulk of the adult custodial population is comprised of individuals on remand; that is, those awaiting trial or sentencing who are legally presumed innocent. Managing this population presents unique challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 global pandemic. This presentation examines some of these challenges before delving into potential solutions that seek to improve outcomes while balancing the principle of least restrictive measures with public safety. Promising areas for improvement include legislative and regulatory amendments, operationalizing the principle of least restrictive measures through institutional policy changes, and adopting an individualized, person-centered model of care for all clients.