Transgendered in Prison

[Hazumu]

Marisa Mauro, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

To date, I have had many inmate-patients who self-identify as transgendered. Their gender identity does not match their assigned sex. They self-identify as female, yet were born males and have been assigned a male sex-role by society. This group of incarcerated individuals work to preserve their gender identity through the manipulation of their physical appearance, body language, speech, interests and interpersonal relationships behind bars.

Many transgendered inmates wear long hair, makeup and groomed eyebrows. They pay close attention to the appearance of facial hair and may shave off much their body hair. Some have taken more permanent steps towards a feminine identity by taking estrogen or having breast augmentation. Many have a strong distaste for the state issued prison uniforms- boxers, tee shirts and scrubs, so they often attempt to alter them. This, of coarse, is not allowed.

Perhaps most challenging for me is that most transgendered inmates prefer to be addressed by their 'female' names and referred to using the feminine pronouns, 'she' and 'her'.

[tekla]

Many have a strong distaste for the state issued prison uniforms

Exactly who was thinking that orange jumpsuits were some sort of fashion statement - except for the members of Devo.

[kisschittybangbang]

Wow. thats intense....

[tekla]

Prison in California is intense, no matter who you are.

Best advice >>>>>> avoid going.

[Buffy]

Many have a strong distaste for the state issued prison uniforms

Exactly who was thinking that orange jumpsuits were some sort of fashion statement - except for the members of Devo.

Hey I saw Devo live, they looked quite good, although their music sucked.

This thread is just made for Darklady!


Buffy

[tekla]

Yeah, and I think that Devo uses yellow jumpsuits now that I think about it.  They were pretty cool back in the early 80, but like a lot of stuff from that time, it didn't age well so you can pretty much skip seeing them now.  The head guy Mark Mothersbaugh now does soundtracks for movies, TV and video games I think.

And I thought this was the best part, really...
All in all, I continue to be impressed with the showing of tolerance towards these individuals in prison. Some institutions even provide support groups for transgendered inmates. If I were to have guessed, without the benefit of my experience, I would have been confident that the system would somehow not allow for transgendered inmates. I would have been wrong.

[DarkLady]

CA prison placement for transsexuals follows external genitalia what is very problematic to pre- and non-ops. (As nealy all states in the USA)
Post-op should have a valid female ID to mostly avoid the possible placement problems.

[sd]

That article makes it sound like they have it no harder than the rest of the population.
I somehow doubt that.

[DarkLady]

Actually CA had own unit for ''effeminite gays'' including pre-op transwomen in 1980's. According some info it was more progressive than most other ''->-bleeped-<-''-units. 

[tekla]

Yeah, but they got rid of it I think.  There is some support for people in prison, but not much other then what they can find and create by themselves on the inside. California prisons are so overcrowded that you really have to TRY to get in, and there is not much sympathy for those people.

[Mister]

It still exists.

[Cindy]

Asking Tekla.

What happens to the crims who don't get in? How are they "punished". Made to watch the Gov's movies . I take reformation is no longer a goal. Then again has it ever been, anywhere in the prison system?

p.s to anyone. How do you do that quote bit? A computer  challenged ex geek. Evolution how sad.

Cindy

[DarkLady]

In current days you can go prison because of  really almost nothing in the USA.
Post Merge: May 26, 2009, 10:02:08 AM

Many have a strong distaste for the state issued prison uniforms

Exactly who was thinking that orange jumpsuits were some sort of fashion statement - except for the members of Devo.

One issue on my gender unequality list: In CA female prisons inmates can use partially their own clothes. Not in male prisons.

[Mister]

In current days you can go prison because of  really almost nothing in the USA.

Our prisons are hopelessly over crowded.  You have to really try to get in them.  How hard depends on how poor you are and what color your skin is. 

[tekla]

One - To end up at one of our fine correctional facilities (San Quentin, or Soledad, made famous by Bobby Seal in the book Soul On Ice, or the legendary Folsom Prison of Johnny Cash fame) you have to have a sentence of at least one year and one day.  Any less they will keep you in country lockup, and some of those like Santa Rita for the East Bay, and the one in LA - that's really bad.  But with overcrowding being what it is you might wind up on a country work farm if your crime is not all that huge.

Two - non-options include probation, house arrest with one of them snazzy ankle bracelet deals, work release, halfway houses and community service.


As for quotes, I just cut and paste and put them in italics, as I think that looks more elegant than that blue block.

[kisschittybangbang]

wow you're informed tekla.

[tekla]

Over-informed is more like it.  I know a lot of things, but they are not particularly useful.  LOL.

[sd]

Last I heard that prison had gone back to a normal prison not too long ago. Not surprising considering the overcrowding.

[kisschittybangbang]

I know exactly how you feel telka. I am an encyclopedia of useless information myself