20 December 2012

Options for safety of trans prisoners

The Government has several options to ensure the safety of transgendered prisoners, the Green Party said today.

This was in response to the case of Glen Cooper, a transgendered woman, being given a 15 percent reduction in the length of her sentence at a men’s prison because she will be the target of violence.

“Having judges hand out reductions in sentences is not an effective or sustainable solution,” said Green Party spokesperson on rainbow issues Jan Logie.

“In the United States, is it possible for trans people to go to their prison of choice and Italy has a separate prison for trans people.

“The option to choose appears to be the simplest logistically. But until a permanent solutions is reached we could make home detention more available for trans prisoners who are at risk of violence.

“For the State to knowingly put any person in its care into danger is inexcusable.

“There are solutions available and we need to make changes to keep trans people safe from violence in New Zealand, including when they are in the State’s custody.”

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