The Study

Trans+ people in Canadian Prisons Project

Conducted by Aaron Devor, PhD and Sarah M. Steele, PhD from the Chair in Transgender Studies at the University of Victoria, BC.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this research project is to gain a better understanding of the health and safety barriers affecting transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit, and other gender-diverse ( aka Trans+) individuals based on their gender identity in Canadian Federal Prisons and to suggest some possible ways to improve things.

This research will also help the broader population better understand the experiences of Trans+ people in Canadian Federal Prisons.

IMPORTANCE

This research is important to protect the human rights of Trans+ people, and all other people, in Canadian correctional institutions. This research may also contribute to changes in correctional policies, practices, and operations.

PARTICIPANTS

We are interviewing and holding focus groups with a wide variety of people.  They include:

  1. Adult people in Canada who are currently incarcerated in Federal Prisons.

  2. Federal Correctional Services of Canada (CSC) staff, including correctional officers, primary workers, Indigenous liaison officers, and health services staff.

  3. Federal CSC administrators, commissioners, and the Gender Considerations Secretariat.

  4. Charities, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, activist groups, and public opinion leaders who concern themselves with prison conditions in Canada.

  5. Formerly incarcerated adults in Canada who are Trans+ people or cisgender people who have lived with Trans+ people while incarcerated.

Participation in this research offers people the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas about Trans+ people in Canadian Prisons and to possibly inform Correctional Services of Canada policies and procedures.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Participation in this research is completely voluntary.  All interviews and focus groups will takes place in private locations and no one will be identified in any reports without their expressed permission.

CONTACT

For more information or to contact about the project, visit our contact page.

FUNDING

This project is conducted at the University of Victoria with funding by the Correctional Services of Canada (CSC).

 

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We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose territory the University of Victoria stands, and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.