Incarcerated Transgender Woman Can Pursue Case for Appropriate Medical Care

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Incarcerated Transgender Woman Can Pursue Case for Appropriate Medical Care
The Bilerico Project
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
June 11, 2010 1:00 PM


http://www.bilerico.com/2010/06/incarcerated_transgender_woman_can_pursue_case_for.php


Federal, state and local authorities in charge of jail and prison inmates are responsible for their health care. This is a big responsibility, because the U.S. incarcerates about 2.5 million people, more than any nation on earth. Appropriate medical care is also a Constitutional duty, because denial of appropriate medical care constitutes cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

Transgender prisoners have had a very difficult time getting appropriate medical care, partly because of prejudice and ignorance on the part of prison officials, and partly because denial of medical care is quite routine in U.S. prisons, particularly for anything even remotely related to mental health. While there are many corrections officials who do the right thing (and I know some personally), many do not, and the troubles of trans prisoners are legion.