Project description: The life sentence in Canada replaced the death penalty after its abolition in the 1970s.  Many Canadians still know little about what a “life sentence” really means and what it entails for the person sentenced.  A lack of accessible information makes it particularly difficult for life-sentenced prisoners (lifers) and their families to navigate the prison system.

This project would aim to “demystify” the life sentence by researching its history and how it functions.  The final product would provide practical information to families and/or to prisoners on what a prisoner goes through while incarcerated, a general look at how parole works, and relevant institutional policies.  Both policy research and subject research (interviews) may be appropriate.

This project may be done in conjunction with the project, “Life Sentencing and Recidivism in Canada.” 

The research would address a critical lack of knowledge about the life sentence, by producing information valuable to prison justice organizers, to the public, and in particular to incarcerated individuals and their families and friends.

Final product: The final product would be an accessible, easy-to-read guide (such as a pamphlet, zine, website).

Student skills required: Undergraduate or graduate level.  Background in legal issues useful.  Writing skills are important.  The ideal student would be interested in prison justice issues, and be committed to communicating and following up with the group.  French language an asset.

About the organization: Re-Con is a prisoner initiated re-integration program, created in 1999, for lifers and long-term prisoners pending release at the Federal Training Center in Quebec. The motivation behind its inception was to establish a connection between the prisoner and the outside community, after a long period of incarceration. It is Re-Con's main goal to establish links with the community, especially regarding the community resources that may aid in the reintegration process and in diminishing the effects of long-term incarceration (institutionalization).