As a result of countless cases of sexual assaults in prisons, the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 was passed and required a zero tolerance policy for sexual assault in prisons (Banks, 2013). Transgender inmates should also be allowed to continue hormone therapy while in prison using their own expense. One method of protecting transsexuals against sexual assaults is to separate them from other prisoners. Although this is listed as a positive gesture to inmates, it can also be a bluff due to the exclusion from educational and recreation times. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
Reference
Banks, C. (2013). Unethical Situations. Criminal Justice Ethics: Theory and Practice (3d ed.) (pp.173). Location: Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Huff Post Gay Voices. (n.d). Retrieved January 10, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/02/cece-mcdonald-minnesota-transgender-woman-manslaughter_n_1472078.html.
I agree with you that an Individual should be able to express their sexuality and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect. However, I do not believe that individuals that identify themselves as transgender sin be segregated all placed in a cell with the gender of which they identify themselves. I think this is a situation in which one cannot win. If we place a man that identifies himself as a woman in a cell with other men, he is likely to be raped repeatedly. On the other hand, if we place him in a cell with women we will be violating their rights to privacy and their rights to be placed in a cell with same gender and inmate. The only way this is going to work is if we build a separate prison for transgender and until that day I think we should leave the prison systems as it is and house male inmates together and female inmates together. It’s like a prayer in school issue we do not pray in public schools because it offends some people. Have we ever thought about the people that wants prayers in school? I’m just asking.
ReplyDelete@ Victor, I agree only two types of facilities male and female. If you go with a transgender prison, next would be a transgender school, restaurants will have implement transgender bathrooms, etc.
DeleteWhy are we constantly trying to please criminals, I understand that they will suffer abuse, but these are some of the consequences that you face when you commit a crime.
I agree with the construction of a separate prison to allow inmates to identify themselves as male or female. According to the The Huffington Post by Kathleen Miles Posted on 04/13/2012 it states "Transgender Prison: LA Police Open Separate Detention Facility For Transgender Inmates" which I feel is a great idea and more states should follow to accomodate such prisoners.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/13/transgender-prison-la-police_n_1423879.html
There are plenty issues that are thrown on the table and either discussed or pushed to the side. Prayer in schools is one. When I was in school there was a designated "moment of silence" every morning dedicated to prayer. It was up to the individual if they wanted to use that time to pray or simply just "remain in silence" to show respect for those that wish to pray. Prayer should not be mandatory but allowed in schools.
Transgender's in prison is complicated. I do believe one has the right to express themselves in their own manner. I don't believe it should be forced on others. In saying that I can say that in the prison system in VA it has done things for inmates to help with the process. For instance, if an inmate already has a sex change in process meaning that is or she is currently taking medicine to help with the change the state will continue the treatment once entered into the system. As a former correctional officer I was shocked to hear this. The transgender are treated the same as others when placed into the system. Everyone is evaluated before being placed in a particular institution by a professional which has the proper credentials to do such a evaluation. I agree that some Transgender's are abused in the system. Institutions have implemented a program called Prison Rape Elimination Act. This act was formed in 2003 and is the first in the US to deal with sexual assault on prisoners. This act was formed to take aim at the curb of rape on prisoners by implementing a zero tolerance policy. This act is referred to as "PREA".
ReplyDeleteAndrew, that was definitely a shocker for me as well, especially for a commonwealth state to continue with providing the inmate with the medication once they have already had the sex change operation prior to coming into prison. Very interesting! Things such as sexual assault will happen in prison no matter who the victim is (I think!) no matter how many laws and Acts are passed, sad fact but true. Great response!
DeleteIt was odd for me to hear that as well. Here is the article check it out.
Deletehttp://www.queerty.com/transgender-inmate-ophelia-delonta-wins-appeal-to-see-gender-specialist-in-long-struggle-for-sex-reassignment-20130831/
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ReplyDeleteBianca, first and foremost, I agree that the elimination of sexual assaults in prisons is paramount. However, I believe there are several hurdles in the way of making progress towards this goal. First and foremost, there is still stigma attached with identifying with the gay, lesbian and transgender population in and out of prison. Many leaders at the federal, state, and local levels would shy away from using funds to build facilities for these population of people. Secondly, many officials and officers in the correction facilities have routinely turn blind eyes to the behavior in the facilities. In some cases, officers used prison inmates to mete out punishment on members of these populations in the prison community. Closer supervision and more surveillance cameras would have tremendous effect in reducing the number of sexual assaults.
ReplyDeleteMy issue with accommadating transgender prisoners are the cost; we are already paying too much to house, feed, and provide medical care to prisoners. I just think funds can be put to a better use; helping the communities that they came from with jobs and education. We are doing more for people who commit crimes then for people who don't.
ReplyDeleteWe are worried more about a person who decides to change their sexual appearance and/or physical make up getting abuse in prison; even though they have committed a crime. Come on, they need to stop and think about what consequences they may face if they get caught committing a crime.
Transgender is a tough subject all together not just in prison. Many people fell as though unless a person has completed the transformation then he or she should be housed with the same gender before the transformation began. It is very tough decision to house a male living as a female for the purposes because of his safety.
ReplyDeleteHousing transgender in the same area seems idea but would that really stop them from raping and hurting each other?
Bianca, what a serious and controversial topic for this week's blog. The topic of transgender is one that I don't like to touch because everyone has their opinion and feeling on it and about it. I absolutely agree with you that everyone deserves and should be treated with respect, that goes without saying. Some of the points that I have a difference of opinion on and somewhat disagree with is 1) allowing prisoners to continue with the use of their hormones once incarcerated and 2) providing transgender prisoners with a separation within the prison. Even if it was possible to provide individuals with the continuation of their hormone treatment in prison, it creates such a controversy, these are recreational drugs, these are not drugs that can be regulated by the FDA and administered by the prison's medical staff, therefore it would be very difficult to make that a possibility and the separation, com'on why should they get any special treatment? They are in jail/prison for a reason, not because they did something good! Nonetheless, great blog and topic for this week!
ReplyDeleteOlivia
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ReplyDeleteMy argument is to identify the genetic science of some transgender peoples in our community. The statements about the treatment of transgender people as simply “social differences” when in reality for many they are biologically closer to their selected genders than they visually appear. In light of the science, this is truly acts of genetic discrimination. The shrinking or less developed Y-chromosomes have contributed to many males appearing less developed as males in our current human population. There are studies that this change could change all humanity’s genetics. The Y is unable to fix its mutations, Due to Low Y diversity. Where as, the X chromosomes have twice the genetic information to copy (XX). If transgenders were refused medical coverage based on genetic abnormalities it would be a federal crime. For all intents and purposes, each situation has a unique person with an individual varying degree of transgender identity. If there are no separate prison options for transgender’s, than it would be safer if they were Co-located with the gender they associate with.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Ms. Atkins. When dealing with Transgender Prisoners within the system this can be viewed to be very complicated. I say this because the violence in prisons is usually caused by sex/and or drugs. It is noteworthy to mention that Transgender Prisoners entering prisons for the first time, anxiety and fear of violence are high. With that being said those inmates tend to seek protection and cause a significant amount of trouble.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that all Transgender inmates should be separated from population with the intent to keep the facility ran safe and secure for staff and for the Transgender prisoner. (Good Post) Fred...
Hot topic, lots of comments! I’m a firm believer in equality for all, who isn't? Every person deserves the right to express themselves and live the lifestyle they feel is right for them. It’s unfair that people who are different experience unfair treatment. However, in this situation it has to be brought up; the difference between lawful citizens and criminals. How willing are we as a society to make special arrangements for those in our prison system? Additionally, how far in the process of gender transformations are those we are trying to help? And another concern is how far will this go; prison cells for men, women, transgender men, and transgender women? The prison systems in the county are already overcrowded and extremely expensive to maintain how would we find money or space to create different living spaces for everyone?
ReplyDeleteBianca: You have raised a very controversial subject in your blog and have handled it with sensitivity. The comments were appropriate as well. One note: The medications that transgenders receive are not recreational drugs as indicated by one student. The medications are hormones that are designed to create the sexual characteristics of the chosen gender. Professor Taylor
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