Federal transgender inmates to be housed, addressed according to gender identity

“These changes will improve the safety and dignity of transgender federal offenders in Canada, affecting every aspect of their daily lives.”

Helen Kennedy, executive director of advocacy group Egale Canada, called the reforms a step in the right direction but warned that correctional staff are not properly equipped to accommodate transgender prisoners.

“Unless it’s implemented with the training that’s required for all of those frontline workers, then we could potentially be putting people in harm’s way,” she said.

Jeremy Dias of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity applauded the government for following through on its earlier commitments but he said he too would like to see more done to keep transgender prisoners safe.

“This is only halfway there,” he said. “In 2018, we have to start thinking of trans and non-binary specific correctional facilities.”

While more needs to be done, it is worth celebrating the progress made in advocating for the rights of transgender people in general in recent history, Dias said.

“There was a time not so long ago where we didn’t think that these sorts of policies and initiatives were even possible.”

A joint statement from Prisoners’ Legal Services, the Correctional Service of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Commission said the reforms are the result of years of collaboration.

The head of the human rights commission, Marie-Claude Landry, said the reforms are about respect and human dignity, which every person is entitled to, including those in the prison system.

The changes also emphasize the privacy and confidentiality of an inmate’s gender identity, which will be shared only if relevant and only with those directly involved in a prisoner’s care.

Individualized protocols will also be offered to transgender inmates, which include accommodations when accessing shower and toilet facilities and the choice of male or female officers to conduct frisk and strip searches, urine testing and camera surveillance.

CSC commissioner Don Head said the service is committed to building a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone, including transgender staff, offenders, volunteers and visitors.

Geordon Omand, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Federal transgender inmates to be housed, addressed according to gender identity

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