Confinement and Contagion: Health and Harm Reduction Inside of Canadian Prisons - Informational Workshop

Credit: Alannah Fricker from Toronto Prisoners’ Rights Project.

This workshop, led by Sena Hussain and Prisoners with HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN), will explore the impacts of unequal access to health care and harm reduction measures that prisoners face across Turtle Island. We will also look at how COVID-19 has stressed the carceral system in unprecedented ways and how this pandemic has manifested in creating great harm to people inside. A discussion of an article in Cell Count, a health and harm reduction resource for prisoners, will then take place to look at the experiences and mindset of someone who has been carrying out a life sentence to create further understanding of the prison experience. Participants will discuss ways that people on the outside can be in solidarity with those fighting for their rights on the inside.

Confinement and Contagion – State of COVID-19 inside prisons

Confinement and Contagion – A first-hand account of life in the prison system during COVID

Confinement and Contagion: COVID-19 & Health in the Prison System is an exhibition for people affected by the prison system to share their work and stories. The exhibition, along with participatory workshops, will bring to light these individuals’ vulnerability to physical and mental illnesses. Learn more.

Confinement and Contagion: COVID-19 and Health in the Prison System and associated events deal with difficult subject matter including: mental health challenges, addiction, trauma/abuse, racism, violence, and trafficking of youth. Please practice self-care and self-protection when interacting with the exhibition and associated events. If you find something challenging or need support, reach out to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, counsellor, Elder or other people who may be in your support system.

Exhibit
Opening Reception
Writing Workshop

Sena Hussain

Confinement and Contagion is presented in partnership as part of Myseum Intersections 2022. This project is led by Defne Inceoglu and Revital Weiss, with contributions from PASAN, Toronto Prisoners’ Rights Project, and Literal Change.

Defne Inceoglu, MMSt., is a museum professional, researcher and project coordinator. They have led major research projects at the Royal Ontario Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto and the Textile Museum of Canada. They volunteer as a literacy tutor and are an active member in political and organizing circles in Parkdale, their neighbourhood.

Revital Weiss, BES, MMSt, is a public program coordinator, arts educator, and former urban planner who is passionate about decolonizing institutionalized spaces through policy, engagement, and the arts. She has held education and public engagement positions at organizations including the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, FENTSTER Gallery, and the Koffler Gallery.

IG: @confinementandcontagion
Website: confinementandcontagion.ca

PASAN (Prisoners with HIV/AIDS Support Action Network) is a community-based prisoner health and harm reduction organization that provides support, education and advocacy to prisoners and ex-prisoners across Canada. We strive to provide community development, education and support to prisoners and ex-prisoners provincially in Ontario and federally regarding HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV) and around whole health and harm reduction. PASAN formed in 1991 as a grassroots response to HIV in the Canadian prison system. Today, PASAN is the only community-based organization in Canada exclusively providing HIV and HCV prevention, education and support services to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families.

Twitter: @pasan_to
Instagram: @prisonharmreduction
Facebook: Prison Harm Reduction
Website: www.pasan.org/

Toronto Prisoners’ Rights Project (TPRP) is an organization of former prisoners, people with loved ones inside, front-line workers, researchers, artists, educators, and students working for prisoner justice and abolition. TPRP engages in direct action, public education and mutual aid to shed light on the harms of incarceration, connect prisoners to support, and build alternative forms of justice rooted in community care and accountability.

Twitter: @letstalkjails
Instagram: @torontoprisonersrightsproject
Facebook: Toronto Prisoners Rights Project
Website: www.torontoprisonersrightsproject.org/

Literal Change is all about providing a positive academic setting for people who have struggled in the mainstream classroom. We work specifically to improve the literacy levels of communities and populations who have experienced limited access to educational supports and alternative learning strategies. Our team is made up of individuals from various walks of life and backgrounds. We have an understanding of the barriers that are being faced in vulnerable Toronto communities. We feel that everyone has a right to access education, and that with effective strategies and supports, individuals will be able to reach their career and academic potential. Current Campaign: Incarcerated Population of Ontario. Literal Change is currently operating in Toronto’s two maximum security detention centres, The Toronto East Detention Centre and The Toronto South Detention Centre.

Twitter: @LiteralChange
Instagram: @literalchange
Facebook: Literal Change
Website: www.literalchange.com/

Myseum Intersections 2022 is funded by the Government of Canada.

Myseum of Toronto is made possible with the generous support of Diane Blake and Stephen Smith.