IHRP Clinic Student Highlights IHRP Prison Labour investigation at a University of Alabama at Birmingham Institute for Human Rights event

On October 8, 2025, IHRP clinic law student Iryn McMechan spoke at an event on the rights of incarcerated individuals organized by our partner, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Institute for Human Rights. Carla Crowder, Director of the Alabama Appleseed Centre for Law and Justice, also spoke at the event. Iryn discussed the IHRP’s investigation into the possible linkages between U.S. prison-made products and Canadian supply chains.

The IHRP’s investigation focused on Alabama, a state notorious for having one of the most violent prison systems in the US, and for exemplifying the harsh and coercive conditions under which incarcerated individuals are reportedly exposed to in the country. In Alabama, prisoners may perform work for little to no pay or worker protections. At the event, Iryn shared stories collected by clinic students during the investigation that reveal the punitive and coercive measures that incarcerated people may face in the state, including in prison labour programs.

Iryn highlighted the key findings and recommendation of the IHRP’s investigation, which are documented in our report “Exports & Exploitation: US Prison Labour Hidden in Canadian Supply Chains”. As Iryn explained, the report identifies a variety of goods that may be linked to US prison labour and entering Canada despite prohibitions under Canadian law on the import of goods produced in whole or in part through forced labour or prison labour. These goods may include imported vehicles, processed foods, and party supplies, among other products. The report also identifies Canadian companies that reportedly contract prison labour themselves.

Iryn ended her intervention highlighting some of the recommendations of the report, which include the need to raise awareness in the business sector about the Canadian government's import bans and the legal implications for non-compliance. The report also urges companies with a market presence in Canada to adopt human rights due diligence policies to identify and eliminate the use of prison labour from their supply chains. Finally, the report urges the federal and provincial governments to strengthen the enforcement of the import bans by implementing proactive investigative measures to prevent the entry of these products into Canada.

You can read the full report here.