Tory MPs express concern over early prison release over pandemic

Disgruntled Members of Parliment have expressed anxiety over prisoners being released early from prison over the coronavirus outbreak, according to Blacklock's Reporter.

Already, some MPs have made an appeal to the Correctional Service of Canada so to stop the prospect of pandemic parole. Some calls were made for prisoners to be released after two inmates in Quebec tested positive for the virus.

As soon as this was reported, the Canadian Bar Association urged the Trudeau government to consider releasing "those who can be safely released.”

This caused some anxiety to communities who have prisons within their boundaries, with MPs saying that residents were upset by the potential of law-breakers getting out early and staying in halfway houses.

Conservative MP Damien Kurek said that "there’s just a great level of uncertainty at a time when anxiety is at an all-time high across our country."

Another cause of concern, is that police officers would have to divert their much-needed resources to monitoring and controlling these newly-released prisoners.

"I’ve heard from numerous constituents who have great concern," added Kurek. "They are concerned about the impact that will have on services the municipality provides to its residents, and the way it will affect what is a growing disparity of services for those who are in great need if they want to release offenders."

Justin Trudeau's cabinet has said that they are still reviewing the pandemic-policy of releasing prisoners early. They have not yet come to a conclusion.