Thank you!
I did some research as I was curious, and it seems that in Canada we only have what is called "Segregation". ... <snip>
Thank you, that was interesting! But, I believe that refers to federal correctional institutions, no? The federal system has different organization, rules, etc etc from the provincial systems. Ontario jails are not operated the same way but I don't know what all the differences are -- but there is such a thing as "protective custody" in provincial jails. Then, "segregation" is something else, and may have different divisions, as in your cited descriptions of federal practice.
I remember on my tour that the "protective custody" cells were pointed out (the ones visible were not occupied at that precise time- maybe not occupied period, I didn't get close as visitors weren't allowed on the range
per se but could see from where we stood). The protective custody cells were tiny, I noticed, and thought how awful to be confined in one for any length of time. But of course jails are supposed to be for people sentenced to two years or less.
I found this article by Carol Goar which mentions p.c. in Ontario jails
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/11/21/prison_life_steeped_in_myths_goar.html. The segregation unit inmates I saw were in some kind of small group room, maybe a therapy or socialization kind of thing, as no guards were in the room (surely right outside). They weren't playing cards or watching TV (there wasn't a tv there, IIRC). I looked and found this recent post/article that mentions the small size of protective custody cells (wasn't DM in a protective custody cell at Barton St jail?) :
https://hicksadams.ca/making-state-pay-abuse-prisoners/
One thing that really shocked me when I was on this tour was the assertion that there were no literacy programs or educational opportunities or skills training of anything at all for prisoners except what was provided by volunteers. Since many of those sent to jail - especially young people - are deficient in basic skills, I thought this was a serious shortfall. Kids emerge from jail with a PhD in various criminal skills, but unless they are very lucky, don't have a chance to learn to read or do math.
I have some neighbours who did literacy tutoring as volunteers at Maplehurst. Wonderful folks. They said the need was absolutely overwhelming, but they could only help a few.