Transgender prisoners will be detained according to their sex at birth in Quebec
Quebec Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel responds to reporters questions at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, February 18, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
Transgender prisoners will now be detained in provincial prisons according to their sex assigned at birth, Public Safety Minister François Bonnardel announced on Wednesday.
He justified this decision as a means of ensuring the safety of all inmates and specified that accommodations would be possible. Transgender inmates will also be able to continue to identify with the gender of their choice in detention facilities.
'Previously, transgender individuals could request to be incarcerated in the detention facility of their choice and could, for security reasons, be isolated from the general population both in their accommodation area and during social reintegration programmes and services,' the Public Safety Minister's office said in a statement.
A security assessment will be conducted upon admission to determine the appropriate classification. All inmates undergo this type of assessment when they enter a provincial prison.
Correctional officers will receive training and a 'best practices guide' with information on sexual and gender diversity and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The office of the Minister of Public Safety said in a statement that as of June 13, inmates identifying as transgender represent 0.1 per cent of the prison population, or six individuals out of 5,400 inmates.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 18, 2025.
The Canadian Press's health content is funded through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial decisions.
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