Victoria, BC (Lək̓ʷəŋən traditional territories) – From September 23-27, 2024, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal will continue to hear the case of Nick Dinardo (they/them), a formerly incarcerated Two-Spirit and transfeminine member of the Piapot First Nation. Mx. Dinardo is challenging the isolation, violence, and abuse they experienced in federal prisons. They argue that Correctional Service Canada discriminated against them on the basis of Indigenous identity, gender identity, religion and disability.
While Mx. Dinardo was in prison, they spent extended periods in extreme isolation, including in the Structured Intervention Unit (“SIU”). Correctional officers also used violent force against them over 45 times.
Dr. Jane Sprott, a professor in the Department of Criminology at Toronto Metropolitan University, is scheduled to testify in Mx. Dinardo’s hearing on September 25 and 26. Dr. Sprott is a member of an independent panel reviewing the use of solitary confinement for people in federal prisons. She will testify about the isolation experienced by people under the SIU regime. Mx. Dinardo’s testimony will also continue from September 23-27.
For details on how to observe the virtual hearing, please contact the Tribunal: https://www.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca/en/human-rights/human-rights-public-hearings
Mx. Dinardo is represented by David Taylor, Christopher Trivisonno, and Maritza Woel of Conway Baxter Wilson LLP and Jessica Magonet of Prisoners’ Legal Services.
Media Contact:
- Nicole Kief (Policy Director of Prisoners’ Legal Services) at nkief@pls-bc.ca or 604-636-0470