Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, and her current research looks at how to develop a legal framework to protect the rule of law in prisons. She grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Dalhousie University, a combined Juris Doctor/Masters of Public Administration from Queen’s University, and a Master of Laws from UCLA. She worked as a criminal and prison lawyer between law school and graduate studies. She speak English, as well as some French and Spanish. 

Kate volunteers with the Canadian Prison Law Association, advocating for prisoners’ rights. She has prepared the organization’s intervention submissions for two cases that went before the Supreme Court of Canada and various submissions responding to legislation impacting prisoners’ rights. She also appeared before the Senate on behalf of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association on a prisoners’ rights bill. Her interests include reading, learning piano, and spending time with my pug.

In this scholarship program, she is looking to develop the skills that she needs to become a leader in criminal justice reform. She seeks brave spaces to discuss complex problems, mentorship, and a supportive network of scholars.