Inmate Medical Details Openly Displayed
An inmate complained that the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) contravened the Privacy Act by openly posting details of medical appointments. The postings included his name, appointment time, and partial offender number, which were visible to the general penitentiary population. The inmate also alleged similar disclosures for other inmates, including complete offender numbers and other medical information. The CSC acknowledged the breach and committed to notifying inmates individually rather than posting lists. However, the CSC did not agree to use only partial offender numbers on internal employee lists for notifications. The OPC upheld the complaint as well-founded.
- 1Whether the open posting of inmate medical appointment details constituted an unauthorized disclosure of personal information under the Privacy Act
- 2Whether the Correctional Service of Canada contravened the Privacy Act by disclosing inmate names, appointment times, and offender numbers to the general penitentiary population
- Disclosure of personal information: Complaint upheld
- Remedial action by institution: Institution committed to individual notifications
- Scope of remedial action: Institution did not agree to partial offender numbers on internal lists
Complaint well-founded
The Correctional Service of Canada acknowledged that the Privacy Act had been breached by the postings, and the OPC found that the disclosure of personal medical appointment details to the general penitentiary population was a contravention.
The Correctional Service of Canada committed to notifying each inmate of medical appointments individually rather than posting a list, though it did not accept the recommendation to use only partial offender numbers on internal employee notification lists.
This summary is for informational purposes only and not legal advice.
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