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Jasmin Naidu successfully defends her MA thesis
We are happy to announce that Jasmin Naidu has successfully defended her thesis 鈥淯ncovering History Trapped Behind Prison Walls: The Story of One of Canada鈥檚 First Woman Correctional Officers鈥�
Jasmin鈥檚 work explores the experiences of one of Canada鈥檚 first women to serve as a Correctional Officer in a men鈥檚 provincial prison in Ontario during the 1980s and 1990s, examining how her gendered experiences shaped her personal and professional life.
Abstract
Women started working as correctional officers (COs) in Canadian corrections in the late 1970s. While more women COs now exist, the profession remains predominantly male-dominated and characterized by gender inequities and structural sexism. This study explores the experiences of one of Canada鈥檚 first women to work as a CO in a men鈥檚 prison. Specifically, it examines how her gendered experiences working in a men鈥檚 provincial prison in Ontario during the 1980s and 1990s, shaped her personal and professional life. Data collection included five oral history interviews, observational fieldnotes, and informal conversations. A reflexive thematic analysis generated themes related to gendered experiences and challenges in corrections, including power dynamics, differential treatment, and discrimination and harassment among women. The gendered barriers described here reflect scholarship documenting similar challenges faced by current women COs. Findings suggest administrative accountability and gender inclusive policies may help address gender inequities in corrections among women COs.