PRISON ADVOCACY
Supporting people inside. Challenging harm.
Prison advocacy involves legal and practical advocacy about conditions of confinement, treatment inside institutions, access to services, safety, health care, programming, family contact, discrimination, and other issues affecting people in custody. These concerns may arise in provincial or federal institutions and may involve urgent or ongoing harm.
PATH assists with prison advocacy matters that fall within our mandate. Our work may include communicating with correctional authorities, supporting grievances or complaints, helping clients understand their rights, identifying legal remedies, and working with community partners where appropriate.
How We Can Help
PATH may be able to assist with:
Addressing concerns about conditions of confinement
Communicating with correctional authorities about urgent or ongoing issues
Supporting requests related to health care, safety, programming, family contact, or institutional placement
Assisting with grievances, complaints, or written advocacy
Helping clients understand their rights and available processes
What to Expect
If your matter appears to fall within PATH’s mandate, we may ask for details about the issue in custody, including what has happened, who has been involved, how urgent the issue is, and what steps have already been taken. We may also ask for grievances, requests, decisions, medical records, institutional correspondence, or information from family and community supports.
When to Contact Us
If your matter appears to fall within PATH’s mandate, we may ask for details about the issue in custody, including what has happened, who has been involved, how urgent the issue is, and what steps have already been taken. We may also ask for grievances, requests, decisions, medical records, institutional correspondence, or information from family and community supports.
Documents & Information
That May Help
You do not need to have all of these documents or details before contacting PATH. If your matter appears to fall within our mandate, we may ask for some of the following information to better understand the issue and assess how we may be able to assist.
The name of the institution and unit/range, if applicable
A description of the issue and when it began
Any requests, grievances, complaints, or appeals already submitted
Responses from correctional staff or administrators
Relevant medical, mental health, safety, programming, or case management records
Names of staff, witnesses, or other people involved
Information from family, community supports, or outside service providers
Any urgent deadlines, safety concerns, or health concerns
Need help?
To request assistance, please complete PATH's intake form. If there are any upcoming hearing dates, deadlines, or urgent issues, please include that information when contacting us.
Alternatively, you may call our intake phone line at 1 (844) PAROLE-04 (1-844-727-6534) to leave a voicemail. Please note that PATH Legal does not accept unscheduled or cold calls. If you would like to speak with a member of our team, you must leave a voicemail or complete the intake form above.