Quebec murder case sparks debate over where trans inmates should serve time
CBC
The Quebec case of convicted murderer Levana Ballouz has sparked a tense debate about whether trans inmates should be allowed to choose whether they serve time in men's or women's prison based on their gender identity.
A jury found Ballouz, a trans woman, guilty on Dec. 16 of fatally stabbing her partner Synthia Bussières, and suffocating their two children, five-year-old Éliam and two-year-old Zac in 2022.
During sentencing, the judge in the case described Ballouz as "sadistic", "dangerous" and "manipulative." She was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for at least 25 years.
Ballouz, 38, was known as Mohamad Al Ballouz at the time she was charged.
Once convicted, she made a request to serve her time in a federal women's prison.
Last week, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) confirmed that Ballouz is currently being housed in a men's prison despite her request.
The horrific circumstances of Ballouz's crime have made her transfer request a flashpoint for debate.
Earlier this week, influential La Presse columnist Isabelle Hachey wrote a column headlined, "Mohamed Al Ballouz n'a pas sa place dans une prison pour femmes," which translates to, "Mohamad Al Ballouz has no place in a women's prison."
After Ballouz's transfer request was reported in December, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre posted on the social media platform X, "I can't believe I have to say this: but when I'm PM, there will be no male prisoners in female jails. Period."
Trans activists and legal experts say it's nowhere near that simple.
CSC's current policy says that inmates who self-identify as gender diverse "will be sent to the institution type (men's or women's) that better aligns with their gender identity or expression, if that is their preference, unless there are overriding health or safety concerns that cannot be resolved."
Trans inmates didn't always have that choice.
Previously, people were automatically assigned to men's or women's prisons based on their sex at birth.
Then, in 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked by a trans activist at a town hall meeting if he would consider changing the rules.
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