Italy 'to open first prison for transgender inmates'

[Shana A]

Italy 'to open first prison for transgender inmates'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8455191.stm

Italy is to open one of the world's first prisons for transgender inmates, reports say.

The prison, at Pozzale, near the Tuscan city of Florence, is expected to house inmates who mainly have convictions for drug-related offences and prostitution.

Gay rights groups in Italy welcomed the move to convert an almost empty medium security women's prison into a specially equipped detention centre.

It is thought that Italy has a total of some 60 transgender prisoners.

[Virginia87106]

People who are convicted of drug charges and prostitution charges should not be in prison anyway.
Fine them and give them community service, but not prison.

[cynthialee]

I agree with that 100%

I agree also.

[Hannah]

I wonder what the "special equipment" is 

After reading the description of the place, it doesn't sound all that bad.

[Butterfly]

Italy 'to open first prison for transgender inmates'
BBC
Tuesday, 12 January 2010


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8455191.stm


It is thought that Italy has a total of some 60 transgender prisoners.

The centre will house about 30 people, according to reports.

The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome, says that until now transgender prisoners have been located in women's prisons where they are often segregated for their own safety.
Post Merge: January 15, 2010, 04:00:07 AM
Another link:  http://dailycontributor.com/italy-to-open-transgender-only-prison/10600/

[Shana A]

 Transgender prison plan welcomed by advocates
    January 28 2010 at 01:59AM    

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=nw20100127222428830C455834

"It's a great idea," Regina Satariano, head of the Italian Movement for Transgender Identity, told the ANSA news agency. "The facility will motivate the 'trans' to get involved in social reintegration programmes."

She added: "It will not be a ghetto but a way to avoid the experience of isolation in ordinary prisons."

Aurelio Mancuso, president of the gay rights group Arcigay, said: "It's a piece of good news that puts into practice" the collaboration of Tuscany's administration with transgender advocacy groups.