PRISON LAW RESOURCES
CanLii is a free database for case law (a judge's decision and reasoning on a case) and legislation (written and published law).
NSSC publishes court decisions here, including decisions for habeas corpus hearings.
The Federal Court publishes their decisions here, including judicial review hearings.
This legislation governs provincial jails in Nova Scotia. It also has a complementary set of regulations called Correctional Service Regulations.
This legislation governs federal prisons across Canada. It also has a complementary set of regulations called the Correctional and Conditional Release Regulations.
Commissioner Directives or "CDs" are policy for federal prisons.
The OCI investigates federal prisons across Canada every year and publishes an annual report. The report includes their findings and recommendations.
The Office of the Ombudsperson in Nova Scotia can be contacted when correctional services/staff are not following the law, regulations or policy. The Ombudsperson office may investigate complaints.
Prisoner's Legal Services provides free legal help to people who are currently in prison. They assist with issues like unfair treatment, legal rights, and disputes with the prison system and have several resources to read.
ECPJS provides legal information through their toll free intake phone line and is regularly releasing resources and reports on the conditions of provincial jails.
CCLA has published two major reports on bail.
1. "Still failing: The deepening crisis of bail and pre-trial detention in Canada" (2024)
2. "Set Up
to Fail: Bail and the Revolving Door of Pre-Trial Detention" (2014)