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Supreme Court of Canada to review inmates’ challenge of jail lockdowns

On Dec 04, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear appeals from two inmates challenging rotating lockdowns at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility.
Because staff shortages prompted rotating lockdowns at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility, the two inmates filed habeas corpus applications to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.
A lower-court judge granted habeas corpus relief, finding the rotating lockdowns unlawful and that they deprived the inmates of their remaining freedom, prompting the Crown to appeal.
The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal allowed the Crown's appeals, saying the lower judge had effectively turned the habeas corpus applications into a review of operational decisions at the jail, and the Supreme Court of Canada now moves the dispute to the top appellate level.
The appeals raise whether habeas corpus can be used to contest systemic operational practices like rotating lockdowns imposed for staff shortages, with the Supreme Court of Canada addressing remedies available to inmates.

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