B.C. Supreme Court approves $60M settlement in solitary confinement class-action lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit over the use of separate confinement and segregation in the province’s correctional centres has received approval by the B.C. Supreme Court for a settlement of up to $60 million.
According to Quebec-based law firm Proactio in a previous release, the class action alleges that the Province of B.C. “improperly subjected individuals to solitary confinement, causing emotional, physical, and psychological harm.”
The subsidiary of Raymond Chabot Inc. also previously stated that while the Government of B.C. denies wrongdoing or liability, it has agreed to settle the class-action lawsuit without going to trial.
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“Eligible Class Members who submit a claim form may receive up to $91,000,” explained Proactio.
“The claims period begins on Jan. 10, 2026, and ends on Jan. 11, 2027. If you do not submit a Claim Form by Jan. 11, 2027, you will lose your right to receive any compensation from this class action.”
Who is part of the class-action lawsuit?
Individuals incarcerated in a B.C. correctional facility after April 18, 2005, and who were involuntarily held in separate confinement and/or segregation for at least 15 consecutive days or while B.C. knew or ought to have known they suffered from a mental illness, are members of the class action.
The amended notice of civil claim dated Feb. 1, 2019, explains that, “Under solitary confinement practices, inmates are placed in cells and denied any meaningful human contact for at least 22 hours per day.
“Each instance of prolonged solitary confinement, and/or solitary confinement of mental health disordered inmates, constitutes cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment,” said the notice of civil claim in the B.C. Supreme Court.
“Both practices ignore the right of prisoners to due process. Both practices cause or aggravate serious psychological and physical damage. Both practices are contrary to domestic and international law.”
The instances of prolonged solitary confinement took place in several B.C. Correctional Centres:
- Alouette Correctional Centre for Women
- Ford Mountain Correctional Centre
- Fraser Regional Correctional Centre
- Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre
- Nanaimo Correctional Centre
- North Fraser Pretrial Centre
- Okanagan Correctional Centre
- Prince George Regional Correctional Centre
- Surrey Pretrial Services Centre
- Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre
Those who previously opted out of the class action, settled similar claims with the province of B.C. and signed a release, were placed due to COVID-19 protocols, or whose claims are statute-barred, are not eligible to submit a claim.
How can members claim compensation in the lawsuit?
Proactio is inviting class members to submit a fully completed claim form no later than Jan. 11, 2027.
A claim form is available to be filled out online, and options to obtain a paper or digital copy are also available.
Koskie Minsky LLP and McEwan Partners LLP were appointed by the court as Class Counsel, while the firm Proactio will act as administrator of the class action.