Boxes for Our Sisters is a community-led mutual aid project that increases access to personal, culturally relevant, and identity-affirming items for incarcerated women and gender-diverse people, with a focus on supporting those who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+, in federal prisons across so-called Canada.

People incarcerated in Canadian federal prisons are permitted to have personal belongings sent to them in packages called “pen boxes.” These boxes are coordinated through direct shipping to federal correctional institutions and shipping costs often exceed $50 per box. For many who enter custody without financial resources or outside support, this creates a significant barrier to accessing even the most basic items that foster self-expression and dignity.

We are raising funds to send pen boxes, which are packages filled with personally requested items that support identity, cultural connection, and comfort. Items may include:

-Gender-affirming clothing and undergarments, such as bras, binders, gaffs, and packers

-Cultural and traditional items, including ribbon skirts, fabric, beading supplies, and books

-Hair and body care, including bonnets, silk scarves, and cosmetics for all skin tones

-Books and media, including urban literature, Indigenous literature, and LGBTQ+ history

-Comfort and connection items, such as clothing in preferred styles and sizes, notebooks or journals for writing, small radios for music and news, and accessories that reflect personal identity and expression

All funds raised will go directly toward purchasing requested items and covering the high shipping costs required to get them inside. Your support helps ensure that people inside are not left behind, and that they continue to feel connected to culture, care, and community, even while incarcerated.

This work is grounded in collective responsibility and the belief that everyone deserves access to dignity, identity, and belonging. We believe that investing in wellness and dignity during incarceration supports stronger, more grounded reintegration into our communities.

If you have any questions or inquiries about this project, please reach out to us through Instagram: @boxesforoursisters