Bill addresses transgender inmates in Calif.

[Natasha]

Bill addresses transgender inmates in Calif.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12248975
4/28/09

SACRAMENTO—The state Assembly will consider a bill as early as Thursday that would require state prison officials to take inmates' sexual preference and gender identity into account when they make housing decisions.
The bill by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, is supported by gay rights groups that cite studies showing that homosexual, bisexual or transgender inmates are more vulnerable to abuse. It has cleared two committees with little opposition.

Currently, state law requires officials to consider factors such as age, criminal history and mental health in deciding where to house inmates. The department's policy is to classify inmates based on their physical gender, regardless of how they identify themselves.

[tekla]

I'd be happier at this point if they just let out all non-violent drug offenders, that would get 70% of them out tomorrow.

[NicholeW.]

I'd be happier at this point if they just let out all non-violent drug offenders, that would get 70% of them out tomorrow.

No doubt, but a lot of those are mandatorily sentenced under Federal guidelines and that change is not going to happen just yet, I imagine. Does CA "throw the book" at nonviolent drug offenders as well, Kat?

N~

[RebeccaFog]

I don't see why a state has to listen to the feds when it comes to making some decisions.

Feds.  Federal Jerks is what they are.