Women and gender diverse people are the fastest growing population in prisons around the world, and yet, as a small portion of the overall incarcerated population, their sexed and gendered health needs are under-recognized and under-served. The reproductive health experiences and outcomes of incarcerated women are under-researched, with available evidence suggesting higher rates of unintended pregnancy, and unmet contraceptive, perinatal and LGTBQ+ health needs.

To address this knowledge gap, this presentation describes use of integrated knowledge translation to conduct qualitative and quantitative studies in partnership with currently and formerly incarcerated women and gender diverse people; frontline service providers; family planning health professionals; and
prison administrative leadership to enhance relevance and impact of findings.

Speaker:

Dr. Martha Paynter,  Assistant Professor, Faculty of Nursing, UNB (Fredericton)

Dr. Martha Paynter has worked to advance abortion access in Canada for over 20 years. A writer, nurse and public scholar, she is recognized internationally for her expertise at the nexus of reproductive and prisoner health. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing; Director of Nursing Research for the Contraception and Abortion Research Team, a national network based out of the UBC Faculty of Medicine; Affiliate Scientist for the Reproductive Options and Services ROSE abortion Clinic at Nova Scotia Health; a member of the Dalhousie University Health Law and Justice Institute; and founder and past chair of Wellness Within: An Organization for Health and Justice, the only non-profit in Canada dedicated to advancing reproductive justice for people in prisons. In 2022, Fernwood Publishing released Dr. Paynter’s first book, Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada. Her second book, Lawless: Abortion Under Complete Decriminalization, will be released on September 28, 2025. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and participated in 250 news media interviews. She works in close collaboration with community groups and lived experience experts to advocate for abortion access and prisoner rights. In 2017, Dr. Paynter received the sesquicentennial 150th anniversary medal from the Senate of Canada for her volunteer service to the country.

I examine the impact of parental incarceration on children and identify the points in legal system processes where children's rights must be better considered if Canada is to meet its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. From a child's perspective, separation from one's mother is a very significant decision, which requires fair process under s. 7 of the Charter; such decisions must be made in full acknowledgement of the child's rights to health, and to freedom from discrimination. Discriminatory assumptions regarding the maternal value of incarcerated women to their children must be directly rejected in favour of an approach that does not pre-emptively deny children their legal rights to due process.

Speaker:

Prof. Robin Hansen, Associate Professor, College of Law, USask.

Robin F. Hansen is an Associate Professor at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. An international law specialist, she teaches public international law, conflict of laws and human rights. Her primary research interest is on how legal personhood is constructed within legal systems, and particularly how this construction frames accountability. She is the author of Prison Born: Incarceration and Motherhood in the Colonial Shadow, which examines the rights of newborn children not to be automatically separated from their mothers by the state without due process.

Speaker:

Kathy Neil (Deputy Commissioner Indigenous Corrections-CSC)

Kathy Neil is a proud Métis descendant whose ancestors originated from the Red River Manitoba area. On May 1, 2023, Ms. Neil was appointed as the first Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections. Kathy holds a BA with a major in Indigenous studies and sociology from the University of Saskatchewan. She has 27 years of experience in the field of corrections; holding many positions including Mental Health Facilitator, Community Health Worker, Warden and Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Operations. She has first-hand experience working directly with federally incarcerated Indigenous peoples and has a deep commitment to fostering reconciliation, cultural awareness, and equitable treatment for Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system. As a trailblazer in her field, she has been instrumental in shaping policies that recognize and address Indigenous needs and ensure interventions are culturally responsive. She has strong ties to her community and believes that positive relationships are key to assisting and supporting inmates on their rehabilitation journey.