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Areas of Work: Criminal Justice

SRLP does a lot of work with trans and gender non-conforming people who are incarcerated, and is engaged in work with other organizations to increase justice for members of trans and gender non-conforming communities who are at risk for incaceration and currently or formerly imprisoned.

SRLP News

SRLP continues fight against sexual assault in detention.

Posted on 04/04/11

In coalition with other groups, on April 4, 2011, SRLP submitted comments to regulations that would implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).  We urge the Attorney General to make certain important changes to the proposed regulations to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and gender nonconforming people in various forms of detention including prisons and jails. Read more »

Prisoner Pen Pal Project: Re-envisioned & Restructured

Posted on 08/05/07

Beginning in May 2011, the Prisoner Pen Pal Project transitioned to the Pen Pal Postcard Project!

SRLP in the Press

Make it Happen!

Publication or Media Source: 
Transforming Justice
Date: 
November 17, 2010

Transforming Justice: Ending the Criminalization & Imprisonment of Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming People. Check out this documentary about Transforming Justice - A collaborative national coalition and conference to address the needs of LGBT people in prison. For more info see transformingjustice.org.

Make It Happen! from Transforming Justice on Vimeo.

Embracing our incarcerated trans family for the holidays.

Sadly, many of our incarcerated transgender brothers and sisters, who have all but been forgotten, face a hostile, uncertain and very lonely future behind bars. Many of us take for granted our daily walks and the warmth of the sun on our faces or the gentle breeze through our hair. But most importantly there are those times when we don’t even stop to think about how truly privileged we are to have so many wonderful people beating down our doors to spend time with us. Find out more about how to help our community members!

SRLP in the Press

Prisons as a Tool for Reproductive Oppression: Cross-Movement Strategies for Gender Justice

Remarks of Gabriel Arkles from Sylvia Rivera Law Project on panel at CR10
September 27, 2008

Whether they are about healthcare, placement, showers, or any number of other issues, prison policies and practices for trans, intersex, and gender nonconforming people are never about promoting anyone’s safety, health, dignity, well-being, or self-determination. Rather, they serve other interests, including maintenance of a patriarchal gender binary system and white supremacy. One of the ways that they do this is through limiting or destroying the reproductive potential of transgender people and other people in prison.

Prisoner Advisory Committee

Posted on 08/06/08 The Sylvia Rivera Law Project holds a strong belief that the people most affected by the systems of violence and oppression we fight are the best people to lead that fight. We also believe that social justice organizations must find ways to directly involve the members of our community who have been separated from us by the criminal injustice system. The Prisoner Advisory Committee (PAC) is one way to overcome the enormous state-created barriers to communication and political participation for the people who are most affected by the prison industrial complex.

SRLP Publication

It's War In Here

A Report on the Treatment of Transgender and Intersex People in NYS Men's Prisons SRLP is proud to announce the publication of a new report, It's War In Here: A Report on the Treatment of Transgender and Intersex People in New York State Men's Prisons.

SRLP News

SRLP fights to stop sexual assault in detention

Posted on 05/10/10

On May 10, 2010, SRLP submitted comments supporting regulations that would implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).  We also urge the Attorney General to make certain important changes  in the regulations to protect the rights of trans, intersex, and gender nonconforming people in terms of searches, placement, discipline, and release. Read more »

Flow Chart: Disproportionate Incarceration
Diagram illustrating how overpolicing and profiling of low income people and of trans and gender non-conforming people intersect, producing a far higher risk than average of imprisonment, police harassment, and violence for low income trans people.

SRLP Publication

Tips for Trans People Dealing with Cops

On the street and in public...


You never have to consent to a search. If a cop asks to search you, your home, or your bag, saying “I do not consent to a search” helps protect your rights.

  • Cops are allowed to do a “pat down” if they believe that you may be armed.
Read more »