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OTTAWA — Changes to the way the federal prison system treats transgender prisoners mean offenders will now be placed in a men’s or women’s facility, based on how they self-identify.

Correctional staff must also address transgender inmates by their preferred name and pronoun and offenders will be allowed to shop for both men’s or women’s items from the correctional service’s approved catalogue, regardless of their anatomy or the gender on their identification documents.

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These changes come after the federal government added “gender identity and expression” to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act last June.

“We are overjoyed that CSC is making so many positive changes that recognize the human rights of trans people in the correctional system,” said Jennifer Metcalfe, executive director of Prisoners’ Legal Services.

These changes will improve the safety and dignity of transgender federal offenders in Canada

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