This event was organized by the research-action team Testimonial Cultures (UQAM), the Coalition d’action et de surveillance sur l’incarcération des femmes au Québec (CASIFQ) and Éditions Écosociété on May 3, 2022 at Ausgang Plaza.
“This story is not easy for me to tell, but I must denounce the situation experienced by women at the Leclerc prison so that we become aware of the human rights problems that exist in this Laval prison.”
Louise Henry opens her shocking testimonial with these words. She was incarcerated for 11 months in a former maximum security federal penitentiary for men, where the inmates of Maison Tanguay were transferred in 2016. The story of her experience behind bars and those of her fellow inmates is as disturbing as it is damning: excessive strip searches, abusive use of segregation, verbal and psychological abuse, the sudden cancellation of visits, limited access to the infirmary, extreme uncleanliness, problems with drinking water, heating and plumbing, inappropriate management of the COVID-19 pandemic… The conditions of detention at Leclerc Prison are deplorable and inadequate to the needs of the people. It is time for the provincial government to close this institution, which has been described for years as a “real disgrace for Quebec” by human rights activists. As a society, don’t we have a responsibility to support and help these women, who often come from disadvantaged, marginalized and racialized groups? How can we punish minor crimes in a way that promotes the rehabilitation of prisoners? What is the rationale for using judicialization and imprisonment to address social problems? One thing is certain: no one will come away from this poignant and courageous testimonial unscathed.
Over 50 people from the local community as well as the academic and activist community attended the book launch event. The event began with speeches and testimonials from people affected by incarceration and/or who supported Louise Henry in her creative process. A musical performance by Claudette Plante closed the speeches. A representative of the Coalition d’action et de surveillance sur l’incarcération des femmes au Québec (CASIFQ) also led an exchange and debate with the audience.
A full episode of the Prison Radio Show is dedicated to Louise Henry’s book launch. You can listen to it here.