UPDATE/S.C. Lawmakers Try to Nix Inmate Sex Changes

[SandraJane]

S.C. Lawmakers Try to Nix Inmate Sex Changes


By COLLEEN CURRY | Feb. 16, 2012

http://abcnews.go.com/US/south-carolina-lawmakers-resist-paying-inmate-sex-cite/story?id=15689741#.Tz35UlGwXJ4

South Carolina lawmakers are debating a bill today that would end taxpayer-funded sexual reassignment surgery for inmates, a procedure that is covered by state law.

Although the state has never paid for a sex-change operation, and has only one self-identified transgender inmate among 23,000 prisoners, it could be responsible for footing a surgery bill if asked, according to state Sen. Kevin Bryant.

"Our inmates are among the least funded in the country," said Bryant, who wrote and introduced the bill. "There's not a willingness to fund our Corrections [Department], so as scarce as our dollars are, if we do have to fund this, it could break the bank."

[Felix]

Ban On Public Money For SC Inmate Sex Changes Advances

WSAV-TV
Ellen Meder
http://www2.wsav.com/news/2012/feb/16/ban-public-money-sc-inmate-sex-changes-advances-ar-3243471/

COLUMBIA, S.C. --

A Senate panel passed a bill that would prohibit public funds from being used for sex change surgery for South Carolina inmates.

As the law stands the Department of Corrections could be responsible for paying for hormone treatment or gender reassignment operations if inmates are convicted when they are going through the process.

Officials say only one inmate has ever requested the operation, but reconsidered after counseling. Currently one inmate is undergoing hormone therapy, because they were when they entered the system.

[Jamie D]

Why should the taxpayer pick up the dime for a criminal's voluntary surgery?

[CelestaT]

It should be covered by a government program anyway...of course, everything should be covered by a government program.

Of course, that's just my opinion *cough*and the rest of the civilized world's*cough*

[Gretchen]

Why should the taxpayer pick up the dime for a criminal's voluntary surgery?

I agree, I do think that TG inmates should be allowed to continue HRT if they started before there conviction. In my opinion it's no different than any other type of medication that an inmate might have to take. Maybe just maybe they could even start HRT after convicted if they are diagnosed GID, not so sure on that one. 

[Jamie D]

It should be covered by a government program anyway...of course, everything should be covered by a government program.

Of course, that's just my opinion *cough*and the rest of the civilized world's*cough*

"Socialized medicine" is a contradiction.

[Jamie D]

I agree, I do think that TG inmates should be allowed to continue HRT if they started before there conviction. In my opinion it's no different than any other type of medication that an inmate might have to take. Maybe just maybe they could even start HRT after convicted if they are diagnosed GID, not so sure on that one.

I tend to agree with that.

I just don't see the "justice" in the "go to jail - get a boob job" mentality.

[Gretchen]

True story.