Correctional services during and beyond COVID-19

Abstract

Correctional services, both institutional and within the community, are impacted by COVID-19. In the current paper, we focus on the current situation and examine the tensions around how COVID-19 has introduced new challenges while also exacerbating strains on the correctional system. Here, we make recommendations that are directly aimed at how correctional systems manage COVID-19 and address the nature and structure of correctional systems that should be continued after the pandemic. In addition, we highlight and make recommendations for the needs of those who remain incarcerated in general, and for Indigenous people in particular, as well as for those who are serving their sentences in the community. Further, we make recommendations for those working in closed-custody institutions and employed to support the re-entry experiences of formerly incarcerated persons. We are at a critical juncture—where reflection and change are possible—and we put forth recommendations toward supporting those working and living in correctional services as a way forward during the pandemic and beyond.

Probationary services in a pandemic. Results from an empirical study in Austria

“…This mainly affected clients in prison as well as those contacts that resulted from the prison release assistance. As formerly incarcerated persons face even greater problems concerning housing and fulfilling their basic needs in times of a pandemic upholding frequent contact is crucial (Ricciardelli et al, 2021). Furthermore, some problems emerged concerning the conduct of community services.…”

“It’s Pure Chaos Every Day”: COVID-19 and the work of Canadian federal institutional parole officers

“…The push for decarceration—which can be defined as “alternatives to incarceration, such as serving sentences in the community rather than in prison, as well as the premature conclusion of a criminal sentence, and the aggregate reduction in the prison population” ( Ricciardelli et al, 2021 , p. 495, p. 495)—was part of a broader global effort to reduce the impact of COVID-19 among prisoners, particularly those advanced in age, or with underlying health conditions or other physical vulnerabilities ( Burki, 2020 ). However, in the Canadian federal system, COVID-19 had minimal impacts on decarceration ( Ricciardelli et al., 2021 ). The Parole Board of Canada (2021) explains that between March, 2020 and April 2021, “13 parole by exception cases have been granted and 9 are pending decision, compared to only 7 parole by exception cases for all of last fiscal year, of which 4 were granted.”…”

“…At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers and health professionals expressed concern about how the virus would affect people living in congregate settings, such as long-term care facilities ( Lai et al, 2020 ) and shelters ( Tsai and Wilson, 2020 ). Like these spaces, prisons were identified as high-risk sites for rapid contagion due to intersecting factors that included the health and social vulnerability of their residents, (over)crowded living arrangements that made physical distancing difficult or impossible, shared dining and sanitation spaces (e.g., bathrooms and showers), and the daily movement of large numbers of people (i.e., staff and visitors) into and out of prisons ( Barnert et al, 2020 ; Kinner et al, 2020 ; Ricciardelli et al, 2021 ; Yang and Thompson, 2020 ). In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, prison systems internationally adopted various risk mitigation strategies, including mandating masks or personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, regularly testing staff and prisoners, limiting prisoners’ time outside their cells, eliminating visits and programming, reducing staffing levels, and reducing the prisoner population ( Brennan, 2020 ; Lindström et al, 2020 ; Marcum, 2020 ; Ricciardelli et al, 2021 ).…”

“…While researchers have focused on the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on prisoners—including both the risk of contagion and the mental and social health toll of increased restrictions on movement, visits, and access to programs and recreation opportunities (e.g., Ricciardelli et al, 2021 ; Ryan et al, 2020 ; Stewart et al, 2020 )—fewer have considered the experiences of prison staff during the pandemic. Researchers have found that prison workers may face heightened risk of acquiring COVID-19 compared with the general population ( Nowotny et al, 2021 ) or experience psychological distress arising from increased risks and the demanding nature of prison work in the midst of a pandemic ( Kothari et al, 2020 ; Testoni et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Researchers have found that prison workers may face heightened risk of acquiring COVID-19 compared with the general population ( Nowotny et al, 2021 ) or experience psychological distress arising from increased risks and the demanding nature of prison work in the midst of a pandemic ( Kothari et al, 2020 ; Testoni et al, 2021 ). Given that “staff and officers must balance staying safe and healthy while maintaining the care, custody, and control of incarcerated persons as well as striving not to infect their family members and friends or bringing COVID-19 into the institution” ( Ricciardelli et al, 2021 : 491), there is a need for more investigation of prison workers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”