Women’s prison in Kitchener remains closed to visitors
Posted Jul 14, 2021 04:20:18 PM.
It's not clear when inmate visits will be allowed to resume at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener.
The women's prison is the only federal institution in Ontario still not allowing in-person visits at this time.
A spokesperson with Correctional Service Canada (CSC) said Grand Valley (GVI) is currently rated in the 'caution threshold' level.
“As such, in-person visits will remain suspended until a time where GVI and Waterloo Region can return to low-moderate risk levels,” said Regional Communications Manager with CSC, Mike Shrider, in an e-mail statement to 570 NEWS.
Shrider added while there are no recent COVID-19 cases among inmates, “Modified routines are in place to ensure appropriate physical distancing in order to prevent the reintroduction and spread of COVID-19.”
Grand Valley experienced an outbreak last year following eight inmate cases. There have been no further cases reported since then.
Schrider said to date, more than 85 per cent of inmates have received at least one dose of vaccine and over 74.5 per cent are fully inoculated.
He added CSC installed additional video visitation kiosks across the country to help inmates maintain contact with family and friends during the pandemic.
The CSC website shows a date to resume in-person visits is 'to be determined', and Schrider said the decision to lift restrictions will be made in consultation with public health authorities.
