On June 1, 2026, LEAF provided a submission to Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, to ensure the swift passage of Bill S-205 in the House of Commons.
If passed, Bill S-205, also known as Tona’s Law, will provide necessary judicial oversight for proposals to segregate or isolate an inmate for over 48 hours, and expand eligible community-based supports for prisoners facing systemic discrimination.
Overview of Submission
LEAF is gravely concerned about the overrepresentation of Black and Indigenous women in prisons, who are also at increased risk of being segregated or isolated. The harms of segregation and isolation in prisons are well-documented and serious, with prolonged and indefinite segregation to be found a violation of Charter rights in Ontario and British Columbia courts.
Bill S-205 aims to:
- End isolation and segregation in federal prisons by requiring court oversight and approval for any prison authority seeking to isolate a person longer than 48 hours
- Broaden the definition of a Structured Intervention Unit (SIU) to ensure all practices of isolation and segregation are captured and will be subject to aforementioned judicial oversight; and
- Expand the list of eligible community-based organizations that can serve as alternatives to custodial institutions for marginalized groups.
LEAF urges the federal government to take action by publicly supporting Bill S-205.
Read and download the submission here.