Ontario corrections has recently been plagued by allegations of gender-based discrimination and harassment, particularly with respect to female guards in prisons for men where women now account for over 20% of the workforce. This book presents two case studies (the first of a training centre for correctional staff, and the second of a jail). Women's experiences of discrimination and harassment are extensively documented, with an emphasis on the systemic aspects of related problems. The book also documents management's lack of success in redressing discrimination and harassment, and how its operational focus (as opposed to a policy one) contributed to this.

Three women from the jail studied in this book successfully pursued their grievances of discrimination and harassment before the Grievance Settlement Board of Ontario. Beth Symes, a lawyer retained by the Ontario Public Service Employee Union, represented the women. In the Epilogue to this book, Beth Symes joins Maeve McMahon in discussing the ground-breaking features of the arbitration decision in addressing systemic issues, as well as the reactions to the decision by union, management, and the grievors.