Transgender Prisoner Rights in Public Prisons

Science Center A155

Transgender people represent 27% of the prison population in the United States (Lydon 2015). Fair and adequate medical treatment for transgender prisoners, notably hormone treatment and sexual reassignment surgery, are basic rights. Yet, informative measures and appropriate regulations do not exist to ensure the safety of this vulnerable prison population. Protections for inmates are provided by the Eighth Amendment and the Prison Rape Elimination Act; however poor enforcement and broad, differing interpretations of these statues result in unsafe living conditions and inadequate medical care. True change to ensure protection of transgender inmates can be achieved with an overhaul of the intake, medical, and housing systems in United States’ prisons.