Your Rights - Information for Offenders

As an offender, you have the right to be treated fairly and with respect if you are in custody, conditionally released or under supervision in the community.

Laws guaranteeing fundamental human rights apply to offenders, whether you are serving your sentence in custody or in the community. This includes the:

• Canadian Human Rights Act
• B.C. Human Rights Code
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Other laws set out important rights and entitlements for offenders, including the:

• Federal Corrections and Conditional Release Act and Regulations
• B.C. Corrections Act
• Criminal Code of Canada

Raising Concerns

If you are under provincial correction’s supervision and believe you are being treated unfairly or your rights are not being respected, you should raise your concerns first in writing through a staff member who will forward it to the appropriate person. If you are not happy with their response, contact the Investigations and Standards Office (ISO), Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

If you are being held in a federal correctional centre, see the Correctional Service of Canada, Commissioner’s Directive on Offender Complaints and Grievances.