A Federal Court has ordered officials at the Edmonton Institution for Women to address long-standing concerns over excessive heat inside the facility, following years of complaints from inmates about unsafe and uncomfortable living conditions during the summer months.
The court ruled that Correctional Service Canada must take meaningful steps to reduce extreme indoor temperatures and ensure the prison provides conditions that meet legal and human rights obligations. The decision follows a legal challenge that argued prolonged exposure to high temperatures posed health risks, particularly for inmates with medical conditions or other vulnerabilities.
According to court documents, prisoners have repeatedly reported that temperatures inside some housing units become dangerously high during heat waves, making it difficult to sleep, rest, or carry out daily activities. Concerns were also raised about limited ventilation and the lack of adequate cooling measures in certain areas of the institution.
The Federal Court found that prison officials must develop and implement effective plans to manage excessive heat, especially during periods of extreme weather. While the ruling does not prescribe a specific solution, it requires Correctional Service Canada to take reasonable measures to protect inmates from harmful heat conditions.
Correctional Service Canada said it is reviewing the court’s decision and remains committed to providing safe, secure, and humane living conditions for those in its care. The agency noted that it already has heat-management protocols in place but will assess whether additional measures are needed to comply with the ruling.
The decision comes as Canada experiences increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, prompting renewed attention to climate-related challenges in correctional facilities and other public institutions. Advocates for prisoners’ rights welcomed the ruling, saying it reinforces the responsibility of correctional authorities to safeguard the health and well-being of inmates.