Protocols and Accountability Mechanisms: Examining Death in Custody and Family Involvement in Ontario

• Grant number: 24/08816-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: January 28, 2025
• End date: April 24, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Law - Public Law
• Principal Investigator: Maira Rocha Machado
• Grantee: Roberta Olivato Canheo
• Supervisor: Sandra Lehalle
• Host Institution: Escola de Direito de São Paulo. Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Ottawa (uOttawa), Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/06158-7 - Prison Lethality in São Paulo: The Role of Victims'Families in Managing Custodial Deaths at the State Level, BP.PD

Abstract

This project delves into the management of deaths in prison custody, specifically focusing on Ontario, Canada. It examines the involvement of victims' families in the process, comparing the protocols and practices of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) with those of Ontario provincial agencies. While the CSC has established investigation procedures, transparency, and communication channels with families, the situation in Ontario presents challenges in accessing consistent data and transparency, particularly within the Ministry of the Attorney General (SOLGEN). This project also scrutinizes the role of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in cases involving police officers and their accountability measures. Through an analysis of historical protocols and current practices, the project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these systems and their impact on families of victims. Methodologically, it combines documentary analysis with interviews with relatives of victims and officials from prison management bodies, aiming to provide insights into the dynamics of investigations and the involvement of families in seeking justice. Ultimately, this research contributes to understanding the complexities of deaths in custody and the mechanisms for accountability and support for affected families in the Canadian context.