Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
@amreformatory.bsky.social
Criminalized Women and Girls’ Ancestral Research: Supporting Descendants of Those Incarcerated or Born at the Institution and Adopted.
#PrisonAdoptees #PrisonBorn #PunishedInUtero #Genealogy
https://andrewmercerreformatory.org/
#PrisonAdoptees #PrisonBorn #PunishedInUtero #Genealogy
https://andrewmercerreformatory.org/
Pinned
Over 20,000 women & girls were incarcerated at the Mercer Reformatory in Toronto, ON from 1880-1969. What happened to the children of imprisoned mother’s or their babies born while incarcerated?
Follow as we explore #HiddenHistories & #adoption
Annual Report 1948. No. 18, p. 36
Follow as we explore #HiddenHistories & #adoption
Annual Report 1948. No. 18, p. 36
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
1953: Members of the Legislature made a surprise visit to Mercer and praised it, even touring the “hole.” Less than three weeks later, my mother—newly confined in the Ontario Training School wing—escaped with three other “incorrigibles.”👇🥚1/2
Source: The Globe and Mail, May 23, 1953 ·Page 5
Source: The Globe and Mail, May 23, 1953 ·Page 5
February 5, 2026 at 1:01 AM
1953: Members of the Legislature made a surprise visit to Mercer and praised it, even touring the “hole.” Less than three weeks later, my mother—newly confined in the Ontario Training School wing—escaped with three other “incorrigibles.”👇🥚1/2
Source: The Globe and Mail, May 23, 1953 ·Page 5
Source: The Globe and Mail, May 23, 1953 ·Page 5
Thread 🧵
Although Velma Demerson eventually received compensation, her case stands as an exception rather than evidence of systemic accountability. 1/6
www.ola.org/en/legislati...
Although Velma Demerson eventually received compensation, her case stands as an exception rather than evidence of systemic accountability. 1/6
www.ola.org/en/legislati...
January 31, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Thread 🧵
Although Velma Demerson eventually received compensation, her case stands as an exception rather than evidence of systemic accountability. 1/6
www.ola.org/en/legislati...
Although Velma Demerson eventually received compensation, her case stands as an exception rather than evidence of systemic accountability. 1/6
www.ola.org/en/legislati...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
🥚Prison Born calls attention to the colonial and gendered assumptions that continue to underpin the legal system—assumptions that so frequently lead to the violation of the rights and denial of personhood for children and their mothers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV1S...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV1S...
Robin F. Hansen, "Prison Born: Incarceration and Motherhood in the Colonial Shadow" (U Regina Pre...
YouTube video by New Books Network Book of the Day
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:52 PM
🥚Prison Born calls attention to the colonial and gendered assumptions that continue to underpin the legal system—assumptions that so frequently lead to the violation of the rights and denial of personhood for children and their mothers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV1S...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV1S...
Exhibition explored hidden stories of women at Toronto’s Mercer Reformatory
www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/e...
www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/e...
Exhibition explored hidden stories of women at Toronto’s Mercer Reformatory
The archive of Toronto's Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women preserves the official record of Canada’s first women’s reformatory, opened in 1880
www.cambridgetoday.ca
January 24, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Exhibition explored hidden stories of women at Toronto’s Mercer Reformatory
www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/e...
www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/e...
The intensive five-year study saw over 150 witnesses give evidence resulting in 71 recommendations aimed to stem abusive and discriminatory practices that dehumanize prisoners while inhibiting their rehabilitation and community integration.
doreenn.substack.com/p/senator-wa...
doreenn.substack.com/p/senator-wa...
Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is working to improve human rights in federal prisons
The Human Rights Committee has been deeply disturbed by the federal government’s refusal to end “draconian” and “cruel and unusual” solitary confinement practices in Canadian prisons.
doreenn.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:38 PM
The intensive five-year study saw over 150 witnesses give evidence resulting in 71 recommendations aimed to stem abusive and discriminatory practices that dehumanize prisoners while inhibiting their rehabilitation and community integration.
doreenn.substack.com/p/senator-wa...
doreenn.substack.com/p/senator-wa...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
🥚"cruel historical adoption system existed during the 20s to 1990's throughout Northern Ireland"
Meanwhile, in Canada, adoptions involving children of incarcerated mothers held in various institutions have been concealed and largely ignored.
www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/11/24/i...
Meanwhile, in Canada, adoptions involving children of incarcerated mothers held in various institutions have been concealed and largely ignored.
www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/11/24/i...
Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill: A brief overview - Research Matters
The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (‘the Bill’) is currently being considered by the Assembly. This blog article provides a brief ou...
www.assemblyresearchmatters.org
January 19, 2026 at 10:40 PM
🥚"cruel historical adoption system existed during the 20s to 1990's throughout Northern Ireland"
Meanwhile, in Canada, adoptions involving children of incarcerated mothers held in various institutions have been concealed and largely ignored.
www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/11/24/i...
Meanwhile, in Canada, adoptions involving children of incarcerated mothers held in various institutions have been concealed and largely ignored.
www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/11/24/i...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
My own group - the largest in the Senate - is the Independent Senators Group or @senindepend.bsky.social - and we were the first parliamentary caucus in Canada to quit X. (Please reward our audacity with a follow.)
January 12, 2026 at 3:46 AM
My own group - the largest in the Senate - is the Independent Senators Group or @senindepend.bsky.social - and we were the first parliamentary caucus in Canada to quit X. (Please reward our audacity with a follow.)
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
🥚In Ont, hidden behind the disclosure of adoption records—sealed under the guise CYFSA and the YCJA protections—are scores of mothers criminalized as “juvenile delinquents,” as well as wards of the Children’s Aid Society, many of whom were literally incarcerated in maternity homes. What did I miss?
December 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
🥚In Ont, hidden behind the disclosure of adoption records—sealed under the guise CYFSA and the YCJA protections—are scores of mothers criminalized as “juvenile delinquents,” as well as wards of the Children’s Aid Society, many of whom were literally incarcerated in maternity homes. What did I miss?
For an adoptee to learn about a carceral birth, they can only hope that a Children’s Aid Society will disclose it when releasing portions of their file. But CAS definitely won’t if the mother was considered a “juvenile delinquent” or even a ward of CAS.
🥚Do your adoption records reflect the circumstances of your birth?
At Mercer Reformatory, incarcerated mothers were transferred to Toronto General Hospital; elsewhere, to maternity homes. If carceral origins were obscured, what else was erased from the record?
At Mercer Reformatory, incarcerated mothers were transferred to Toronto General Hospital; elsewhere, to maternity homes. If carceral origins were obscured, what else was erased from the record?
December 28, 2025 at 6:08 PM
For an adoptee to learn about a carceral birth, they can only hope that a Children’s Aid Society will disclose it when releasing portions of their file. But CAS definitely won’t if the mother was considered a “juvenile delinquent” or even a ward of CAS.
Female Refuges Act? Learn more in this podcast, created by Queen’s University undergraduate student Annie Dowd, about the history of the Female Refuges Act here: www.queensu.ca/history/site...
December 21, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Female Refuges Act? Learn more in this podcast, created by Queen’s University undergraduate student Annie Dowd, about the history of the Female Refuges Act here: www.queensu.ca/history/site...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill that would stop parental incarceration from being used as the sole reason to terminate parental rights.
When punishment extends to children, the harm doesn’t end at sentencing.
#adopteesky
When punishment extends to children, the harm doesn’t end at sentencing.
#adopteesky
December 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill that would stop parental incarceration from being used as the sole reason to terminate parental rights.
When punishment extends to children, the harm doesn’t end at sentencing.
#adopteesky
When punishment extends to children, the harm doesn’t end at sentencing.
#adopteesky
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
JFMR Statement Regarding a Significant Error in Testimony Documentary
🥚
jfmresearch.com/testimony/jf...
🥚
jfmresearch.com/testimony/jf...
November 26, 2025 at 7:56 PM
JFMR Statement Regarding a Significant Error in Testimony Documentary
🥚
jfmresearch.com/testimony/jf...
🥚
jfmresearch.com/testimony/jf...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
Testimony
JFMR Statement: Testimony Documentary to be released in Irish and UK Cinemas
More info here: jfmresearch.com/testimony/
🥚
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5_A...
JFMR Statement: Testimony Documentary to be released in Irish and UK Cinemas
More info here: jfmresearch.com/testimony/
🥚
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5_A...
Testimony Trailer Digital - Updated
YouTube video by Rocliffe Productions
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Testimony
JFMR Statement: Testimony Documentary to be released in Irish and UK Cinemas
More info here: jfmresearch.com/testimony/
🥚
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5_A...
JFMR Statement: Testimony Documentary to be released in Irish and UK Cinemas
More info here: jfmresearch.com/testimony/
🥚
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5_A...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
Serena’s story is a stark reminder of how Canada’s criminal legal and penal systems continue to retraumatize and criminalize Indigenous women – failing to meaningfully account for their lived experiences.
Read Serena's Story here: linkedin.com/pulse/serena...
#JusticeReform #SenCa #TonasLaw
Read Serena's Story here: linkedin.com/pulse/serena...
#JusticeReform #SenCa #TonasLaw
Serena's Story
The conviction and sentencing of Serena Tobaccojuice is one of the most troubling illustrations of how Canada’s criminal legal and penal systems persistently fail Indigenous women and girls. Serena, i...
linkedin.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Serena’s story is a stark reminder of how Canada’s criminal legal and penal systems continue to retraumatize and criminalize Indigenous women – failing to meaningfully account for their lived experiences.
Read Serena's Story here: linkedin.com/pulse/serena...
#JusticeReform #SenCa #TonasLaw
Read Serena's Story here: linkedin.com/pulse/serena...
#JusticeReform #SenCa #TonasLaw
🥚Report covers “Acquiring children from adults in institutional care.” Canada tracked some adoptions from “unwed mothers,” but not those involving forcibly institutionalized parents (including juveniles) or unmarried parents more broadly—very different categories.
The English version of the Korean Truth and Reconciliation Committee's report on illegal practices concerning the adoptions of 200,000 children is out now. When it was released in Seoul on the 26th of March of this year it became world news
swedishkoreanadopteesnetwork.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
swedishkoreanadopteesnetwork.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
November 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
🥚Report covers “Acquiring children from adults in institutional care.” Canada tracked some adoptions from “unwed mothers,” but not those involving forcibly institutionalized parents (including juveniles) or unmarried parents more broadly—very different categories.
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
it’s been a while since I mentioned that i created a feed for posts by people who are adopted/trafficked/purchased out of their original families. please consider adding it. And if you would like to post to it, please let me know in a reply. 🥚
November 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
it’s been a while since I mentioned that i created a feed for posts by people who are adopted/trafficked/purchased out of their original families. please consider adding it. And if you would like to post to it, please let me know in a reply. 🥚
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
The Quebec Superior Court has authorized a class-action lawsuit on behalf of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children who suffered abuse at the hands of Quebec’s youth protection services since 1950.
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
Class-action suit for abuse Indigenous kids suffered in Quebec youth protection
Class-action lawsuit authorized for abuse Indigenous kids suffered in Quebec’s youth protection system since 1950.
www.aptnnews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The Quebec Superior Court has authorized a class-action lawsuit on behalf of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children who suffered abuse at the hands of Quebec’s youth protection services since 1950.
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
This person was fortunate to learn what most adoptees never do: across Canada, many incarcerated mothers’ babies were adopted, yet knowledge of remain hidden behind youth privacy laws.
Royal British Columbia Museum, BC Archives (Re), 2021 BCIPC 38 (CanLII), canlii.ca/t/jhrt7
@moonlyfe.bsky.social
Royal British Columbia Museum, BC Archives (Re), 2021 BCIPC 38 (CanLII), canlii.ca/t/jhrt7
@moonlyfe.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
This person was fortunate to learn what most adoptees never do: across Canada, many incarcerated mothers’ babies were adopted, yet knowledge of remain hidden behind youth privacy laws.
Royal British Columbia Museum, BC Archives (Re), 2021 BCIPC 38 (CanLII), canlii.ca/t/jhrt7
@moonlyfe.bsky.social
Royal British Columbia Museum, BC Archives (Re), 2021 BCIPC 38 (CanLII), canlii.ca/t/jhrt7
@moonlyfe.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
Inmates helped generate $97 million last year for the Correctional Service of Canada’s employment branch known as CORCAN.
But inmates earn no more than $6.90 a day.
Fields of Confinement - Watch: youtu.be/fgdPG4M9bp8?...
But inmates earn no more than $6.90 a day.
Fields of Confinement - Watch: youtu.be/fgdPG4M9bp8?...
November 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Inmates helped generate $97 million last year for the Correctional Service of Canada’s employment branch known as CORCAN.
But inmates earn no more than $6.90 a day.
Fields of Confinement - Watch: youtu.be/fgdPG4M9bp8?...
But inmates earn no more than $6.90 a day.
Fields of Confinement - Watch: youtu.be/fgdPG4M9bp8?...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
🥚For all those adoptees punished in utero, whose carceral birth histories were hidden as they suffered innumerable harms and whose lives were cut short — may their truths be unearthed, their stories honored, and the silence end for those still unaware of their carceral beginnings.
October 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM
🥚For all those adoptees punished in utero, whose carceral birth histories were hidden as they suffered innumerable harms and whose lives were cut short — may their truths be unearthed, their stories honored, and the silence end for those still unaware of their carceral beginnings.
In Ont., Mercer Reformatory records were denied under the YCJA—but teens 16–17 weren’t considered “youth offenders” then. We appealed—and won. Orders PO-4749, PO-4750 & PO-4751 force a new access decision.
1/2
#FOI #SecretCanada #HiddenHistory
1/2
#FOI #SecretCanada #HiddenHistory
October 26, 2025 at 8:25 PM
In Ont., Mercer Reformatory records were denied under the YCJA—but teens 16–17 weren’t considered “youth offenders” then. We appealed—and won. Orders PO-4749, PO-4750 & PO-4751 force a new access decision.
1/2
#FOI #SecretCanada #HiddenHistory
1/2
#FOI #SecretCanada #HiddenHistory
This article aims to untangle the complex relationship between government, economics, related policy and politics and the criminalization of Indigenous people in Canada.
www.tamarackcommunity.ca/articles/res...
www.tamarackcommunity.ca/articles/res...
ARTICLE | Research Shows Link Between Poverty and Criminalization
This article unpacks the complex relationship between government, economics, policy and politics and the criminalization of Indigenous people in Canada.
www.tamarackcommunity.ca
October 22, 2025 at 10:01 PM
This article aims to untangle the complex relationship between government, economics, related policy and politics and the criminalization of Indigenous people in Canada.
www.tamarackcommunity.ca/articles/res...
www.tamarackcommunity.ca/articles/res...
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
4 girls — including my mother — escaped Mercer’s OTS wing but were caught and locked in the dungeon, where another desperate escape was attempted. It’s time to end these brutal, inhumane isolation conditions that disproportionately affect Indigenous, Black, and disabled people.
#S205 #EndSeg
#S205 #EndSeg
October 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Some of the records coming in from Mercer indicate that the Children of Unmarried Parents Act (CUPA) was applied to Mercer babies. Could CUPA help us understand how many were born to incarcerated mothers?
We’re working on it!
We’re working on it!
🥚Statistics from the Children of Unmarried Parents Act were used to support claims of mass adoption among unmarried mothers. So how is it that only 562 out of 4,023 consented to relinquishment — or 562 out of 1,992 non-cohabiting mothers?
Race? Age? Institution? Incarcerated mothers?
See alt txt
Race? Age? Institution? Incarcerated mothers?
See alt txt
October 21, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Some of the records coming in from Mercer indicate that the Children of Unmarried Parents Act (CUPA) was applied to Mercer babies. Could CUPA help us understand how many were born to incarcerated mothers?
We’re working on it!
We’re working on it!
Reposted by Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory for Females
🥚Adoptees of Bluesky: Horrendous case of Ashley Smith! 👇For those who don’t know, she was an adoptee too.
Eighteen years after Ashley Smith’s preventable death in a segregation cell, Canada continues to grapple with the same injustices she suffered. 1/2
#AshleySmith #HumanRights #PrisonReform #TonasLaw #SenCA #BillS205
#AshleySmith #HumanRights #PrisonReform #TonasLaw #SenCA #BillS205
October 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
🥚Adoptees of Bluesky: Horrendous case of Ashley Smith! 👇For those who don’t know, she was an adoptee too.