The Department of Corrections will be allowed to march in this year's Pride parade, after agreeing to make changes to the way it treats transgender prisoners.
Last year the group No Pride in Prisons disrupted the parade in a protest against Corrections, drawing attention to the violence and sexual abuse suffered by transgender people behind bars.
There's been debate over whether Corrections staff would be allowed to march again, but Pride co-chair Kirsten Sibbit says they've now been given the go-ahead.
"Corrections have been working on an action plan, and we want to work with them to implement that action plan and to work through other things they could be thinking about to make some changes," she says.
The Auckland Pride Board raised a number of different concerns with Corrections before reaching an agreement.
“There are a few policies that we think could be improved, or could help to improve the lives of transgender people in prison, particularly around accommodation of prisoners, and medication while people are in prison,” says Ms Sibbit.
“It’s a very complex situation, they’re very complex issues, and not one thing will fit every prisoner.”
Chief Custodial Officer Neil Beales acknowledges that the department has faced challenges in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of LGBT people in prison.
“Where we have a prisoner who identifies as either transgender or gay, or has any other issues that make them vulnerable in a custodial setting, then it’s important that we understand exactly what their needs are, and how best we can help them,” he says.
“It is not possible to stop everything from happening in a custodial environment, we have to be practical and realistic about this, but what we can do is work to minimise the impact that people who are vulnerable experience in prisons.”
Sophie Morgan from No Pride in Prisons is unhappy with the decision to let Corrections staff march in the parade, describing it as “shameful”.
“The Department of Corrections has shown a blatant disregard for the treatment of all incarcerated people, especially queer and trans prisoners,” she says.
“This year alone, No Pride in Prisons has heard from multiple transgender inmates who have been either raped or brutally attacked while in Corrections’ custody.”
Ms Morgan is sceptical about whether promises of change will lead to anything meaningful.
“Corrections is being rewarded for making vague promises to improve the safety of trans prisoners,” she says. “It is not enough to reward the Department for making promises it has yet to fulfil. Ultimately, the Department is unlikely to make good on these promises.” A member of No Pride in Prisons had her arm broken when the group gate-crashed the Pride Parade last year – she was being forcibly removed from Ponsonby Road by police so the parade could move on.
This year the group’s taking a different approach, holding a counter-rally at nearby Karangahape Road in protest against what it sees as collusion between the Auckland Pride Board and the Department of Corrections.
Kirsten Sibbit says members of No Pride in Prisons are entitled to make their voices heard.
“We’re hoping that it won’t result in any injury to people as it did last year, or any disruption to the parade, but we fully understand and respect their right to protest,” she says.
Neil Beales believes Ms Morgan’s fears of inaction are unfounded, and promises that the department is committed to making real change.
“This is a very real plan that we want to see progressing, and I’m absolutely confident that we will be able to see that, and measure that within twelve months,” he says.
“We’ll continue to work on the areas that have been identified where we need to improve and do better.”
Newshub.
