News and Events => People news => Topic started by: stephaniec on October 19, 2015, 05:05:24 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Being Transgender in Prison
Post by: stephaniec on October 19, 2015, 05:05:24 PM
Being Transgender in Prison

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tammy-nelson-phd/being-transgender-in-pris_b_8333458.html

The Huffington Post/By Tammy Nelson Phd  Posted:  10/19/2015 5:21 pm EDT 

"Robert contacted me, frantic. His fiancée, Paula, is currently serving time in a southern state prison, and has so far served four months of what could be a thirty-six month sentence. Paula is a transgender woman. But Paula was placed in an all male prison to serve out her sentence.

Paula called Robert from prison. He didn't recognize the number. She was calling from the detective's office. Crying and inconsolable, she told Robert an inmate "took advantage" of her. Distraught, Robert asked her if she has been raped and she said "yes," by one of her cellmates."
Title: Re: Being Transgender in Prison
Post by: DarkEmber on October 22, 2015, 02:01:29 AM
That's terrible... I mean, this sounds like one of those slippery slope stories, but absolutely terrible..
Title: Re: Being Transgender in Prison
Post by: suzifrommd on October 22, 2015, 07:01:57 AM
Quote from: JPerr on October 22, 2015, 02:01:29 AM
That's terrible... I mean, this sounds like one of those slippery slope stories, but absolutely terrible..

I agree.

Another example of where our community needs to be heard. I'm baffled by those who say we don't really need a voice or spokespeople. This is what happens when we're silent.
Title: Re: Being Transgender in Prison
Post by: TG CLare on October 28, 2015, 01:56:25 PM
Prison rape is all too often a common occurrence. It's strange but a hetrosexual male won't have sex with another man outside the walls but will often have sex with a male behind bars.

Being in protective custody is no answer either as rape happens even in protective custody. Those inmates are protected from the balance of the general population but not each other and are considered among the lowest ranking inmates by the rest of the prison population..

If this individual proceeds with criminal charges against the other inmate, if they thought life was hell in prison before, try it after you "rat" on someone. You're fair game for everyone after that as being a "rat" places you among the lowest of the low. Generally only the child molesters rank the lowest among the inmate pecking order but a "rat" is right down there even if they have a just cause

The safest place I think would be in administrative segregation for this individual. and if it it's denied, then a legal lawsuit against the department of corrections is in order.

Hopefully nothing like this ever happens to this individual again.