Correctional Transgender Policy in Canada's Federal Prison System

Area of Science:

• Criminology and Social Sciences
• Gender Studies
• Public Policy

Background:

• Canada's federal correctional system implemented a policy in December 2017 allowing prisoners to be housed according to self-identified gender.
• Existing prison structures and procedures remain largely organized around biological sex, creating complexities in policy implementation.
• Navigating these policies is crucial for upholding the rights of all incarcerated individuals, including transgender prisoners.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how correctional officers (COs) perceive and implement Canada's transgender policy within federal correctional facilities.
• To identify the unintended consequences of the transgender policy for both prisoners and correctional staff.
• To understand the impact of policy operationalization on staff wellness and correctional work stress.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing interviews with 74 correctional officers from the Canadian federal prison system.
• Interviews were conducted between October 2019 and October 2021.
• Analysis focused on officers' views and operational practices regarding the transgender policy.

Main Results:

• Unintended consequences include increased risk of prisoner victimization and potential for prisoner pregnancy.
• Challenges identified encompass inadequate housing, complications with strip searches, and fear of being labeled transphobic among staff.
• Significant uncertainty and discretion in policy application contribute to stress and impact staff wellness.

Conclusions:

• Despite well-intentioned goals, the transgender policy may inadvertently compromise prisoner safety.
• The operationalization of the policy presents significant challenges for correctional officers, increasing job stress.
• Further review and potential adjustments to the policy are suggested to mitigate negative outcomes for prisoners and staff.