Women Offender Programs and Issues

Nova Institution for Women

Fact page

Task of the establishment
Nova Institution for Women in Truro, Nova Scotia, is one of six regional federal facilities for women offenders in Canada. Nova is a multi-level institution responsible for the reception, assessment and placement of women receiving federal terms (sentences of two years or more) within the Atlantic region.

Responsible organization            
Correctional Service Canada

Number held
57

Maximum capacity
70

Brief history
Nova opened in 1995. The structured living environment (SLE) was added in August 2001 and the secure unit opened in February 2003.

Description of residential units
Nova consists of eight self-contained living units, an eight-bed SLE; a 10-bed secure unit - including a three-bed segregation unit - and a private family visiting unit.