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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.

  • 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.

    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. Read more »


  • Prisoner Pen Pal Project
    Posted on 08/05/07

    One great way to work against the awful ways that the criminal punishment system targets people of color, trans and queer people, poor people, women and people with disabilities is to support people who are currently in prison. Read more »


  • 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 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.

  • 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 »

  • 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.

  • SRLP announces non-support of the Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act
    Posted on 04/08/09

    In a recent letter sent to the GENDA coalition, SRLP, FIERCE, ALP, The Peter Cicchino Youth Project, and Queers for Economic Justice have jointly expressed our concerns with the problematic hate crimes legislation that has been attached to the Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Read more »


  • 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!


    Coming Together for the Holidays
    By Stefanie Rivera

    Read more »

  • Fixing Corrections
    The Advocate | December 15, 2009

    As a U.K. court moves to protect its MTF inmates from rape and assault, America’s transgender prisoners continue to suffer. Article features interview with SRLP Collective Members.