People in Prison in Winter 2021-22

Conditions inside prisons—including high populations and inadequate vaccination and hygiene protocols—meant that, in winter 2021-22, both correctional officers and incarcerated people experienced high levels of COVID-19. 1 Research has clearly demonstrated that incarceration also increases the level of COVID-19 infection in communities outside of prisons and jails.2 All levels of government should take action to further reduce the number of people held in jails and prisons.