Changes to the way Canada's federal prison system treats transgender prisoners means offenders will now be placed in a men's or women's facility, based on how they self-identify.
Correctional staff must also address transgender inmates by their preferred name and pronoun and offenders will be allowed to shop for both men's or women's items from the correctional service's approved catalogue, regardless of their anatomy or the gender on their identification documents.
These changes come after the federal government added ``gender identity and expression'' to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act last June.
A joint statement from Correctional Services of Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Prisoners' Legal Services says the reforms are the result of years of collaboration.
The changes also emphasize the privacy and confidentiality of an inmate's gender identity, which will be shared only if relevant and only with those directly involved in a prisoner's care.
Jennifer Metcalfe, head of Prisoners' Legal Services, says she is overjoyed by the changes, which will enhance the dignity and safety of transgender offenders.