Who can help
Prisoner resources
Last updated: December 28, 2023
Office of Correctional Investigator
As the ombudsman for federally sentenced offenders, the Office of the Correctional Investigator serves Canadians and contributes to safe, lawful and humane corrections through independent oversight of the Correctional Service of Canada by providing accessible, impartial and timely investigation of individual and systemic concerns.
P. O. Box 3421, Station “D”
Ottawa ON K1P 6L4
Toll Free: 1 877 885-8848
Fax: 613 990-9091
Email: org@oci-bec.gc.ca
Website: oci-bec.gc.ca
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS)
CAEFS is an association of self-governing, community-based Elizabeth Fry Societies that work with and for women and girls in the justice system, particularly those who are, or may be, criminalized. Together, Elizabeth Fry Societies develop and advocate the beliefs, principles and positions that guide CAEFS. The association exists to ensure substantive equality in the delivery and development of services and programs through public education, research, legislative and administrative reform, regionally, nationally and internationally.
701-151 Slater Street,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5H3
Phone: 613 238-2422
Toll Free: 1 800 637-4606
Fax: 613 232-7130
Email: admin@caefs.ca
Website: caefs.ca
Prison law lawyers
Mr. Conroy’s practice is primarily in the criminal law area and related constitutional and administrative law matters arising out of the administration of sentences of imprisonment in both Federal and Provincial prisons and conditional release or parole and other similar issues. In essence this firm is interested in protecting individuals from the abuse of power by governments at all levels and to ensure that those exercising statutory power do so fairly and within their jurisdiction.
John W. Conroy, Q.C.
Conroy & Company
2459 Pauline Street,
Abbotsford, BC V2S 3S1
Phone: 604 852-5110
Fax: 604 859-3361
Email: jconroy@johnconroy.com or mtaylor@johnconroy.com
Website: johnconroy.com
John Howard Society of British Columbia
The John Howard Society of British Columbia is a non-profit charitable organization that assists regional John Howard Societies across the province, which have a strong history of assisting individuals and families who have come into (or are at risk of) conflict with the law, offering prevention and intervention services as well as advocacy and public education.
763 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5V 3C2
Phone: 604 872-5651
Fax: 604 872-8737
Email: info@johnhowardbc.ca
Website: johnhowardbc.ca
Legal Aid BC
Legal Aid BC is a non-profit organization created by the LSS Act in 1979 to provide legal information, advice, and representation services to people with low incomes. Their priority is to serve the interests of people with low incomes. But many of their services are available to all British Columbians. Legal Aid BC helps with:
- serious family problems,
- child protection matters,
- immigration issues, and
- criminal law issues.
They do this by providing a range of services that help people resolve their legal problems. They determine the services they offer as part of their obligations under the LSS Act. Their services are offered at legal aid locations throughout the province.
400 – 510 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8
Phone: 604 601-6000
Toll Free: 1 866-577-2525
Website: legalaid.bc.ca
West Coast Prison Justice Society
The West Coast Prison Justice Society was incorporated in 1993 to promote the provision of legal aid to prisoners in British Columbia. They promote the rule of law within prisons and the fair and equal treatment of prisoners. The West Coast Prison Justice Society operates Prisoners’ Legal Services, a legal clinic for federal and provincial prisoners in BC.
Prisoners in British Columbia can access their services by calling the Legal Aid BC Call Centre for a referral at:
- 604 408-2172 (Greater Vancouver)
- 1-866-577-2525 (Toll-free, elsewhere in BC)
After getting a referral, prisoners can call West Coast Prison Justice Society direct:
- 604 636-0464 (BC)
- 1 866 577-5425 (Toll-free, elsewhere in Canada)
302-7818 6th Street
Burnaby, BC V3N 4N8
Direct Phone (After referral): 1 866 577-5425 (federal) or 604 636-0464 (provincial)
Fax: 604 636-0480
Email: info@pls-bc.ca
Website: prisonjustice.org