[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by Breathless

This is a very interesting debate. My opinion is, in regards to continuing hormone therapy, absolutely. If the decision was made prior to being convicted, and treatments were started prior, then it is an issue of continuing medical care. To make the decision to start while in prison, I don't think so. If someone was lets say to have rhinoplasty prior to being incarcerated would it not be humane to have their last check up to removed stitches?

I really dislike these comparisons. Do you see the difference between rhinoplasty and SRS? SRS isn't for cosmetic purposes.

I have to ask, if these people were 'free' who would pay for their surgery then in the state of California? In my understanding, it is the individual, and they would have to save up substantial money to afford the surgery, I think the same person should be responsible for the cost despite being in prison. Now taking into consideration the fact that they are not able to go out into the community and seek consultations with different dr.'s, that is where I think the prison needs to be of assistance. Providing the options, however not footing the bill.

To me this comes down to the US moving toward public healthcare, and if having the state pay for SRS for trans inmates is a step in t hat direction, I don't see the problem. In Ontario, OHIP pays for SRS for those who seek a year's worth of counseling, and I'm not sure I see the problem with that. While it's not perfect (to require counseling, imo, is wrong), it shows a positive step and changing attitudes within the medical community wherein they've begun to see the importance of SRS to the basic health needs of trans individuals.

On another note, if you have made your declaration as being transgendered, and are being recognized as male, or female, then the option of which jail you wish to reside is not your choice. I don't feel that it is right for someone to say.. yes I am a woman, recognize me as such, but please just leave me in the men’s prison. All or nothing. Choose your battles wisely.

I've known a few transfolks who have been incarcerated in Ontario prisons. You don't get to choose which prison they put you in. I've known people who start off in a male prison, get shifted over to a female prison and back and forth again. Additionally, they were treated very poorly and humiliated by the guards, placed in solitary confinement away from the general population without the basic necessities (warmth, proper food, the courtesy of being told which prison they're in etc.) The prison system, at least over here (and seems to be the same in US), does not seem to know how to deal with trans inmates, and inmates have very little control over where they go. I think it's very easy for someone who isn't trans or who isn't a trans inmate to say "all or nothing," but when you're in the actual situation with your own well-being in mind (given that nobody else seems to have it in mind), and realizing that you have very little control over your own situation, it's an entirely different ball game.