This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Law & Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Name of Organization: Black Legal Action Centre
Website of Organization: www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca
Organization's Mandate: Established in 2017, the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is an independent not-for-profit community legal clinic, funded by Legal Aid Ontario, that combats individual and systemic anti- Black racism by providing free legal services, conducting research, developing public legal education materials, and engaging in test case litigation and law reform.
Project Name: Decarceration Guide Project
Project Type: Public Legal Education (presentations, workshops, podcasts, brochures, blogs, etc.)
Project Delivery: Remote
Description of Project: Students will create guidelines/informational resources for current prisoners, such as how to submit a grievance. The project aims to address a critical gap in the prison system: ensuring that Black inmates are fully informed about their rights, particularly regarding how to file grievances and navigate internal appeal procedures. This initiative seeks to empower incarcerated individuals with the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves while institutionalized.
One of the most pressing issues we have identified is that many incarcerated individuals, particularly Black inmates, are provided with insufficient or incomplete information about their legal rights and the processes available to them while serving their sentences. This lack of awareness can have severe consequences, especially regarding time-sensitive actions such as filing grievances or requesting video recordings. In our experience, many inmates reach out to us unaware of the strict limitation periods that institutions and correctional ministries enforce for such actions.
Black people are disproportionately represented in the prison system, often as a result of being stopped, questioned, and charged at higher rates than other communities—only Indigenous peoples face comparable levels of overrepresentation. Once in the system, Black inmates frequently endure racist treatment from correctional officers and other institutional staff. This discrimination manifests in various ways, including denial of proper medical care, refusal to provide special diets, and unjust placement in segregation.
These harmful actions not only deteriorate their mental health but also provoke reactions that correctional officers then use to justify upgrading their security status. These escalations in security status make it increasingly difficult for Black inmates to secure parole and often result in them serving longer sentences than initially intended.
The consequences of this systemic discrimination extend far beyond the prison walls, perpetuating cycles of incarceration and hampering reintegration efforts post-release.
If Black inmates had better access to comprehensive information on the available grievance and appeal processes, it could fundamentally alter their lives. For example, reducing their security ratings through successful grievances could enhance their chances of obtaining parole earlier, allowing them to reintegrate into society more swiftly and effectively.
The resources we aim to provide would be invaluable to incarcerated individuals in both provincial and federal institutions, offering a broad reach and the potential to significantly impact the lives of countless Black inmates across Canada. These resources would not only serve to protect their rights while institutionalized but also help lay the foundation for a more just and equitable correctional system.
Role of Student Volunteers: Students will conduct research on prevalent legal concerns and processes for currently incarcerated persons. Students will create guidelines and brochures that can be handed out in prisons. BLAC does not expect students to go to Institutions to hand out the brochures. BLAC will ensure dissemination of the brochures to institutions.
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s): Review the students’ research for thoroughness and accuracy; review and approve PLE resources produced by the student, before it is used by the organization.
Type of Law: Criminal/Prison law
Main Project Deliverable: Presenting public legal education (e.g. in-person or virtual presentations, workshops, training sessions, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 1 student
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: 3-5 hours/week
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: No regular shifts. Schedule is flexible.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization: Most of this work can be done remotely. However, BLAC does have laptops, desks, and printers that students can use, if needed.
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have: Computer, internet, phone.
The student will be given access to BLAC’s Canva accounts to create interactive videos and documents.
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No.
Law School Pre-Requisites: Criminal/Prison law
Other Requirements or Expectations: Understanding of the carceral systems in Canada or willingness to learn. Ability to translate complex legal processes and issues into plain language. Experience with Canva software/app