Pregnancy and Prisoner Transport
Research status: Active investigation · Updated 13 September 2026
The transportation of pregnant incarcerated people raises distinct collision, medical, mobility, communication, and dignity concerns. This page summarizes what Canadian policies and newly obtained records establish, what they do not establish, and what questions remain open.
Key finding from Québec
In response to access-to-information request 2026-12972, Québec identified Chevrolet vans, Ford cube vehicles, and Nissan two-seat minivans used for prisoner transportation and stated:
“These vehicles are not equipped with seatbelts or another occupant-restraint system. All of these vehicles are used to transport pregnant women, where applicable.”
The ministry later explained that Québec law exempts passengers in the rear of cellular vans from certain seatbelt installation and use requirements. It also said transport arrangements are determined case by case and may include placement near the driver, an adapted vehicle, a private adapted transporter, or an ambulance.
The ministry also confirmed that no changes to cellular-vehicle configurations or transportation practices for pregnant incarcerated people are currently underway.
Read the document and full analysis →
What federal policy establishes
Commissioner's Directive 567-3 contains specific protections governing security restraints during pregnancy. Restraints should be used only as a last resort, a physician should normally be consulted when circumstances permit, restraints must not be used during labour and delivery, and a body belt must not place pressure on the abdomen or torso.
These provisions concern security restraints such as handcuffs and body belts. They do not establish what automotive occupant-restraint system must be available, what direction the passenger must face, or what crashworthiness standard the occupied compartment must meet.
Why the distinction matters
A body belt, handcuffs, or other security restraint is not a substitute for a motor-vehicle seatbelt. A legal exemption from seatbelt requirements establishes that a practice is permitted; it does not demonstrate that the occupied configuration provides adequate protection during sudden braking, a collision, or a rollover.
Current evidence status
Established
- Québec's identified cellular vehicles do not have seatbelts or another occupant-restraint system.
- Those vehicles may be used to transport pregnant incarcerated women where applicable.
- Federal policies regulate the use of security restraints during pregnancy but do not specify an automotive occupant-restraint configuration.
Not yet established
- How frequently pregnant incarcerated people are transported in each vehicle configuration.
- Whether CSC ever transports pregnant people in side-facing or L-bench positions.
- What collision testing or medical risk assessment supports these practices.
Questions requiring answers
- What occupant-protection standard applies to a pregnant passenger in custody?
- When is a forward-facing position with a conventional three-point seatbelt required?
- Who approves exceptions, and how is the decision documented?
- What safer alternative is used when a cellular vehicle cannot provide appropriate protection?
Corrections Dialogue will update this page as additional federal and provincial records become available. Statements are presented as established only when supported by a cited public record.