Transgender Inmates Could Get New Rights
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 | Updated 5:45 AM PST
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Studies show gay and transgender inmates are vulnerable to physical and sexual assaults behind bars.
The state Assembly has passed a bill requiring prison authorities to consider inmates' gender identity when making housing decisions.
Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat, says his bill is needed because studies show gay and transgender inmates are vulnerable to physical and sexual assaults behind bars.
He urged lawmakers to support his bill as a way to reduce prison violence. The bill was adopted on a 60-8 vote on Monday, with no lawmakers speaking against it. It now heads to the state Senate.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation assigns housing based on inmates' physical gender, even if prisoners identify themselves as transgender.
