In so far as older individuals in federal custody are concerned, this joint investigation by the Office of the Correctional Investigator (the Office) and the Canadian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) finds a general failure on the part of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to meet the fundamental purposes of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA): safe and humane custody. [...] The conditions of confinement of older individuals in federal custody are lacking in terms of personal safety and dignity, and the prospect of these individuals returning to the community is often neglected and overlooked, all of which jeopardizes the protection of their human rights. [...] Scope of the Investigation The Office and the Commission together launched this investigation to give a ‘voice’ to older individuals in federal custody, some of whom have spent the greater part of their lives locked up. [...] The overall health of those in a prison environment often mirrors the health conditions of individuals that may be up to ten years older in chronological age.2 However, not all accept the notion of accelerated aging in the prison environment3 as it is also possible that better access for some to physical and mental healthcare in the prison environment mitigates the impact of accelerated ageing. [...] Background Profile of Older Individuals in Federal Custody5 According to the most recent 2018 data, 25.2% of the federally incarcerated population is 50 years of age and over (20.2% are aged 50-64; 4.1% are aged 65-74; and 0.9% are 75 years of age and older).6 By comparison, nearly 4 in 10 Canadians are 50 years of age and older and 16.1% of the Canadian population is 65 and over.7 As of November.
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