Grant: CIHR Fellowship

People who are incarcerated in Canada have inconsistent and inadequate access to reproductive health care, such as Pap tests, health information, and birth control. As a result, unintended pregnancy is a frequent occurrence, the stress of which is exacerbated by the difficulty of obtaining abortion. My research aims to characterize the state of reproductive health services for incarcerated people to identify barriers and design ways to improve access. To do this, I will first examine official prison policies about abortion. Then, I will interview (i) people who have had an abortion while incarcerated, (ii) abortion care providers and prison health staff, and use these interviews to determine how incarcerated people experience access to abortion, and how they were/were not supported when seeking care. In the last phase of this research, I will work with community groups, health professionals, and corrections officials to design and mobilize evidence-based recommendations that improve access for incarcerated people. Significance: Abortion access is critical for gender and health equity. Equal and compassionate access to abortion and reproductive health care reflects a just society. Understanding the experience of those seeking abortion while incarcerated, and the ways in which health professionals and prison staff can support patients, will help us make recommendations for prison policy and design practices for abortion providers to best support incarcerated people in their health goals. Scientifically, my proposal brings a new direction to the field of abortion health services research. No previous study in Canada has looked at this issue from the perspective of incarcerated people, a population that has, almost across the board, experienced trauma and discrimination. Meeting their need for care is a research priority, and my collaborative approach, which engages patients, care providers, and prison staff, will create practical change to improve patient experiences.