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When my loved one first told me that the prison keeps $150 from an inmate’s account for a body bag, I laughed and asked, “Why? Do they expect inmates to leave that way?” The more I learn about the correctional system, the more I understand why that policy exists. Deaths in custody happen more often…
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For anyone who has never had a loved one incarcerated, the phrase “file a grievance” might sound reasonable. After all, grievances are supposed to exist to resolve problems fairly, investigate concerns, and hold institutions accountable. But for many inmates and their families, filing a grievance feels less like a solution and more like a way…
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Bill S-205, also known as Tona’s Law, is proposed Canadian legislation aimed at eliminating the harmful use of solitary confinement in federal prisons, particularly through the use of Structured Intervention Units (SIUs). The bill emerged in response to the experiences of Tona Mills, an Indigenous woman who reportedly spent over a decade in isolation while incarcerated.…
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There’s a particular kind of fear that lives in a parent who is incarcerated, the fear of not being able to protect your child. It is not abstract. It is constant. You don’t know who they are around, what they are exposed to or whether they feel safe. you cannot show up if something goes…
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Pay close attention. As of April 2026, Canada is shifting toward stricter bail and sentencing laws in response to rising concerns about violent crime. At the same time, governments are planning massive infrastructure expansions to address overcrowding in correctional facilities. This is where I begin to question our priorities. Are we investing in rehabilitation, or…
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Doing time is hard, especially in an isolated environment with limited stimulation. The walls are not just physical barriers; they slowly close in on the mind. Days become repetitive, quiet, and emotionally draining. In many institutions, the routine rarely changes, and the lack of meaningful activity can leave people feeling forgotten and disconnected from the…
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Many of us feel grateful when we get a phone call from our loved ones in prison. That call can mean everything. It brings comfort, reassurance, and a sense of connection in a place where isolation is part of daily life. But that same black phone fixed to the wall is a double-edged sword. We…
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Sorry for going MIA lately. I’ve been dealing with some prison-related matters that I will talk about in this blog post. This experience has opened my eyes in ways I never expected. I never truly understood how important language is until now. The wording and tone used in a binding document or an expert opinion…
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The Breaking Point No One Sees There are moments in this life where everything feels like too much. Not all at once…but slowly, quietly, like a weight that keeps adding up until you realize you can barely carry it anymore. And no one sees it happening. Because on the outside, I’m still showing up.Still taking…
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The Parts I Don’t Say Out LoudThere are things I carry that I don’t always talk about.Not because they don’t matter…but because putting them into words makes them feel too real.People think the hardest part of this life is the distance.And yes, the distance hurts.But what hurts more is everything that comes with it, the…
