We’d like to extend our sincere gratitude to Steph Crosier and The Kingston Whig Standard for their coverage of Prisoners Justice Day 2022. Their compassionate reportage played an instrumental role in amplifying the significance of the event held at the former site of the Prison for Women. The article, published on August 9, 2022, beautifully encapsulated the day’s essence of healing and recognition, especially focusing on the high number of Indigenous women who face incarceration in Canada.
Crosier’s write-up skillfully narrated the proceedings of the day, from the healing circle led by local Indigenous women to the heartfelt sharing circle and the call to conduct a radar search of the eight-acre compound. By chronicling the history of Prisoners Justice Day, she brought the attention back to its roots and why the event is an International Day of Solidarity with Prisoners. Her respectful and thoughtful interviews, especially with organizer Ann Hansen, illuminated the tragic circumstances that often precede incarceration, emphasizing the urgency to address social conditions that contribute to crime.
As we continue our journey towards understanding and advocating for prison reform, we greatly appreciate The Kingston Whig Standard’s role in shedding light on these issues. Their commitment to fair and empathetic journalism continues to inspire us, fostering a more informed and compassionate society. Thank you, Whig Standard, for helping us ensure these stories are told and heard.
An event to recognize Prisoners Justice Day was held Wednesday morning at the former site of the Prison for Women.
Organizer Ann Hansen, a member of the Prison for Women Memorial Collective, said prior to the event that it would be about healing and recognizing the significant percentage of Indigenous women who are incarcerated in Canada.
“The healing circle is a very positive thing where it’s run by an Indigenous woman, and they have a smudging and people can talk,” Hansen said. “That’s why people can’t take photographs or just openly interview people in the middle of the healing circle, because people will be speaking on a really personal level about their life and experiences.”
The P4W Memorial Collective is a group of women ex-prisoners from the Prison for Women (P4W) who are working towards the creation of a permanent memorial garden and community space on the grounds of P4W, in Katarokwi/Kingston, Ontario.
Through our work we honour the women who lost their lives in P4W, and uplift the stories of those women who survived.
