PRISONER CORRESPONDENCE PROJECT
Mac-Corry D207 / 11:30pm
The Prisoner Correspondence Project is a collectively-run initiative based
out of Montreal, Quebec. It coordinates a direct-correspondence program for
gay, lesbian, transsexual, transgender, gender variant, two-spirit, intersex,
bisexual and queer inmates in Canada and the United States, linking these
inmates with people a part of these same communities outside of prison.
In addition, it coordinates a resource library of information regarding harm
reduction practice (safer sex, safer drug-use, clean needle care), HIV and
HEPC prevention, homophobia, transphobia, coming out, etc. The project also
aims to make prisoner justice and prisoner solidarity a priority within
queer movements on the outside through events like film screenings,
workshops, and panel discussions which touch on the broader issues relating
to criminalization and incarceration of queers and transfolk.
"I can't really offer advice about having safe sex. I don't practice it. I practice being careful. In my own way. That's tricky, but hey, it's the life. You improvise to survive."
-Amazon, incarcerated for 20 years
"Your correspondence with me is very uplifting. Just to know someone cares enough to talk to me, or send lyrics, things that take my focus away from here."
- Brandon, High Desert State Prison, California
http://www.prisonercorrespondenceproject.com/
Workshop: You Improvise to Survive
On sexual safety inside and outside prisons
A workshop / discussion featuring statements from gay, queer and trans
prisoners across the US and Canada on what sexual safety means when condom access is restricted or when queer sex is criminal. The workshop and
discussion following seeks to start dialogue about how we can support one
another, and each other's struggles for control over our own sexual lives,
as trans folks and gays and queers across prison walls.
