‘This health protection measure is being made with the guidance and advice of public health officials’
Four adult correctional facilities in Nova Scotia temporarily released 41 people who are serving intermittent sentences to protect staff and inmates from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
An intermittent sentence allows a person to serve a sentence in small blocks of time – usually on weekends - instead of all at once. The person serving the sentence continues to live at home and work in the community most of the time so they can work and fulfill family obligations. Under the Criminal Code, a judge can impose an intermittent sentence if the term of imprisonment is 90 days or less.
“This health protection measure is being made with the guidance and advice of public health officials. This measure is allowed under the Nova Scotia Correctional Services Act, and is in effect until further notice,” said the provincial government.
Health experts have said that social distancing and avoiding crowded placing can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
On March 15, Correctional Services closed its facilities to all visitors until further notice.
“Correctional Services works closely with public health officials to ensure plans are in place at all times to mitigate the spread of any contagious virus or disease in the province’s correctional facilities,” said the government.
