This study presents findings from a feminist pathways analysis focused on imprisoned Tomboys, a gender-sexual minority group in Thailand. We mapped Tomboys’ journeys into prison using life-history interviews, identifying two main pathways.
The first pathway, termed "insubordinate lifestyles," is characterised by substance abuse and persistent lawbreaking. Tomboys following this trajectory often engage in risk-taking behaviours and illegal activities as acts of defiance against societal norms. This path reflects a cycle of rebellion, where repeated conflicts with the law and prolonged law-breaking result in eventual imprisonment.
The second pathway, "support, sacrifice, suffering," emphasises the roles of romantic love and familial caregiving in law-breaking. Many Tomboys in this category engage in illegal activities to provide financial support for their partners or family members, driven by love, loyalty, or a sense of responsibility. These acts ultimately lead to criminalisation and incarceration.
The study finds that while the experiences and mechanisms within these pathways share similarities with existing feminist pathways and queer criminological scholarship, there are also unique qualities specific to the incarceration journeys of Tomboys. Their gender and sexual identity add layers of complexity, influencing their decisions and interactions within the criminal justice system.
These findings underscore the importance of understanding the intersections of gender, sexuality, and criminality, particularly for marginalised groups like Tomboys. The research calls for more inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches in the criminal justice system to address the unique challenges faced by gender-sexual minorities, ultimately aiming for a more equitable and humane approach to justice.
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Michelle Ryan M.A
Sessional Staff Member, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Australia
Michelle Ryan holds an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Griffith University (Brisbane, Australia) where she earned her MA in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Her master’s dissertation examined Tomboys’ (a non-binarisable gender sexual minority group) pathways to prison in Thailand. Michelle has experience as a sessional academic, teaching various criminology courses at Wollongong University, the University of New South Wales and Griffith University. A passionate advocate for gender equity within criminal justice systems, Michelle is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by women, gender and sexual minorities. Her work aligns with global initiatives like the United Nations’ Bangkok Rules, which promote gender-responsive practices and uphold women’s rights within criminal justice frameworks. Driven by a commitment to social equity she works tirelessly to improve the lives of marginalised women and foster a more inclusive society, both in Asia and internationally.
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Dr Yodsawadi Thipphayamongkoludom PhD
Project Manager for the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders, Thailand Institute of Justice, Thailand
Dr Yodsawadi Thipphayamongkoludom is a Project Manager for the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders at the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). She supervises several research projects focusing on criminalised women’s backgrounds, pathways to imprisonment, and rehabilitative needs. Her work includes TIJ’s Research Series on Women Prisoners and the Implementation of the Bangkok Rules in ASEAN and Surveying Victimization Experiences among Young People in Custody. Yodsawadi has co-authored and translated many key publications for TIJ. She has also been involved in training programmes for senior correctional staff and prison officers, emphasising the importance of gender-responsive prison management per international guidelines such as the Bangkok Rules and the Mandela Rules.
