In response to the COVID-19 crisis, 47 organizations and 773 people have signed the open letter urging the government to take action to protect criminalized people made vulnerable to the virus.

Please read and share the open letter to Contain COVID-19, Not People to amplify the calls to action: https://harmreductionto.ca/contain-covid-19-not-people  

Incarcerated people are at a disproportionate risk of contracting COVID-19. Unsanitary conditions, close quarters, frequent physical contact, and the underlying chronic health conditions of many detained people, contributes to the spread of the virus and threatens the well being of prisoners and public health.

We demand immediate actions to ensure decarceration and a reduction of prison crowding, prisoner health and wellbeing, free and open communication with those inside, and community health for people who are low-income, without housing, and criminalized.

It is up to all of us to ensure that no one is left behind, and we will get through this together.

With love and solidarity, 

Alannah Fricker,

President, CSSDP Ryerson
Member, Toronto Prisoners' Rights Project
Administrator, Toronto Harm Reduction Alliance