I work at the busiest courthouse in the country. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when thousands of workers have been ordered to work from home, schools and universities have been closed, and events numbering over 250 cancelled, it felt like nothing had changed at the Brampton Courthouse. Despite these risks, the courthouse was busy and people remained incarcerated. Imprisoned people were brought from jails to the court, and kept up to 8 at a time in small jail cells under the courtroom. They had only a steel open toilet, and no sink, soap, tissues or disinfectant. Jury-trials may have been called off , intermittent sentences suspended, and family visitations halted, but hundreds of people are still being forced to attend court. Those who failed to attend risked a warrant for their arrest. In court, people sat side by side, shared pens, handcuffs, and communicated in close-contact. It was clear that the perceived needs of the legal system were prioritized over public he...
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