What is the right prison environment for a transgender woman? / myLot

Leicester, England

October 30, 2015 5:53pm CST

There has been a distressing case recently in the UK involving someone who is biologically male but has spent her entire life as a woman and undergone extensive genetic reconstructive surgery. She has been convicted on an assault charge and sent to prison for a short sentence. However, she was initially sent to a male prison, where she had a terrible time due to her very feminine appearance. After much publicity and protest, this decision has now been reversed and she is continuing her sentence in a female prison. What is the right action to take in such circumstances? What if a person is not quite so far down the gender transference route? British law states that the decision on what prison regime is appropriate depends on what is stated on a person's birth certificate. This can be changed via a "gender recognition certificate" is a person changes sex, but not everyone remembers to have this done and the process is not always a rapid one. What should happen if a certificate has not been granted for one reason or another?

5 people like this

6 responses

Boingboing

@boiboing (13153)

• Northampton, England

31 Oct 15

My husband is a prison officer and has had to deal with similar situations where a transgender prisoner has had to spend their whole sentence in isolation for their own protection.

2 people like this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

31 Oct 15

There are doubtless problems whatever solution is attempted.

Boingboing

@boiboing (13153)

• Northampton, England

31 Oct 15

@indexer I think they eventually chose the right solution. Assign people on the basis of their appearance. She's a stunning blonde with a pneumatic chest. Putting her in a male prison was going to be a massive problem for both her and the other prisoners.

1 person likes this

John Welford

@indexer (4852)

• Leicester, England

31 Oct 15

@boiboing I love the term "pneumatic chest" - so much more wholesome than "she's got big t*ts"!

Anna

@LadyDuck (457340)

• Switzerland

31 Oct 15

I think that this should be more made looking at the person and using common sense that following the law, but humans are so stupid.

1 person likes this

vanny

@vandana7 (98718)

• India

31 Oct 15

Interesting question. I believe the person needs to be given a separate room.

Oshy

@TiarasOceanView (70035)

• United States

31 Oct 15

Well given the circumstances, I would say the transgender would do better in the womens prison as I think it may be an easier time. I could be wrong though. Yeah certificate or not, I believe that would be the correct way to handle it. Prison is brutal over here though so feel they would face terrible consequences either way.

MARILYN

@Marilynda1225 (79570)

• United States

31 Oct 15

Seems as if transgender issues are something that needs addressing but it's hard to say really. It would seem that there should be an isolated area for transgender?

Ann LeFlore

@poehere (15126)

• French Polynesia

30 Oct 15

I personally don't feel like it is up to me to decide this one. I feel the courts and the system will need to make the final decision on this one. I also feel if the person's safety is a risk factor they might have to change the way they do things too.