COVID-19 Widened Racial Disparities in Ontario’s Prison System, Study Finds

A recent study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing racial inequities within Ontario's correctional system. The research analyzed data from nearly 149,000 adults incarcerated between 2015 and 2022, including the period in 2020 when Ontario implemented measures to reduce the prison population amid the pandemic.

The findings indicate that during the pandemic, all racial groups experienced reductions in incarceration rates; however, the decline was most significant among non-Indigenous white inmates. Indigenous, Black, and other racialized individuals were less likely to benefit from decarceration efforts, resulting in a widening gap and reinforcing systemic disparities. Despite facing increased health risks in custody, these groups faced fewer releases, further entrenching inequalities.

Lead researcher Akwasi Owusu-Bempah of the University of Toronto Mississauga emphasized that the decarceration process during COVID-19 mirrored the unfairness already present in the justice system. Overrepresentation of Indigenous and Black populations in incarceration was exacerbated by the pandemic, highlighting the influence of policies like mandatory minimum sentences and bail practices.

The study utilized administrative data from the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, tracking incarceration trends based on self-identified race and Indigenous status at admission. Key indicators such as the number of admissions and releases, custody durations, and overall time spent in detention were examined. Post-April 2020, when emergency decarceration measures began, the risk of being in custody decreased by 30% for white individuals, compared to about 24% for racialized groups.

The disparity extended to the duration of custody, with white inmates experiencing a sharper decline in time spent behind bars. The researchers noted limitations due to missing data and the opaque decision-making processes surrounding inmate releases.

Owusu-Bempah pointed out that systemic issues rooted in sentencing laws and bail policies contribute significantly to racial disparities in incarceration. The pandemic brought urgent attention to these inequalities, especially given the heightened risks in overcrowded facilities with limited healthcare access.

He advocates for expanding community-based alternatives and reforming the justice system to better serve all communities, emphasizing that diversion programs and support services can help reduce unnecessary incarceration and address longstanding injustices.

This study underscores the need for systemic change to ensure equitable treatment across racial and Indigenous groups within the criminal justice system, especially in times of crisis.