Posted on Advocate.com April 07, 2011
New Transgender Policy at Chicago Jail
By Advocate.com Editors
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/04/07/New_Transgender_Policy_at_Chi_Jail/ (http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/04/07/New_Transgender_Policy_at_Chi_Jail/)
The Cook County Jail in Chicago has initiated a policy of using detainees' gender identity instead of their birth gender to determine where they will be housed, making it one of the few in the nation to do so, Windy City Times reports.
In an exclusive interview with the paper, Sheriff Tom Dart (pictured) said the policy went into effect last month. It allows transgender detainees to go before a gender identity panel of physicians and therapists before being placed in quarters for men or women, and to have clothing and hygiene products that are consistent with their gender identity. It also mandates training on gender issues for correctional staffers.
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Cook County Jail using gender identity to determine housing
by Kate Sosin, Windy City Times
2011-04-06
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=31243 (http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=31243)
In a Windy City Times exclusive, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart announced that Cook County Jail has instituted a policy for housing transgender detainees based on their gender identity, rather than birth sex.
The policy became effective on March 21. It is thought to be the first of its kind in the United States.
"Particularly with this issue, we wanted to do it right," Dart told Windy City Times, adding that "medical and sociological" concerns for transgender people "even superseded security issues."
I think this is a good thing, but it also scares the crap out of me and I'm afraid for TG prisoners already as it is.
I don't know why but I'm more afraid for the transmen prisoners, I hope they would do extra to keep prisoners safe if people react harshly if they find out. :|
I'm sure Cook County Jail is pretty harsh no matter what.