Trump’s war on trans prisoners

Trump’s war on trans prisoners

Transgender prisoners in US jails are having their hormone treatment stopped under an order from President Donald Trump’s administration.

Guidance issued by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in February bars the agency from starting hormone therapy for prisoners who are not already receiving it, and instructs doctors to develop ‘tapering plans’ to gradually withdraw it from those already on it.

The policy will also prevent prisons from providing gender-affirming surgery. Transgender prisoners will no longer be supported with resources including wigs, makeup, breast padding, chest binders, and underwear not designed for their biological sex.

It follows an executive order issued by Trump last year, days after he started his second term in office, barring all Americans from having gender-affirming hormone therapy paid for out of federal funds.

Prison reform campaigners criticised the approach. Jesse Lerner-Kinglake, communications director at Just Detention International, told the LGBTQ+ website The Advocate: “The devastating health effects of discontinuing hormone therapy for incarcerated transgender people are well-documented. People will suffer, just so that this administration can carry out its anti-trans agenda.”

The policy affects the 150,000 people detained in US federal prisons. Most US prisoners are held in state prisons or jails, which can set their own policies. 

Muslims pepper-sprayed while praying

 Muslims pepper-sprayed while praying

Eight Muslim prisoners who were pepper-sprayed whilst praying in their houseblock because their chapel was closed during a Covid lockdown have been awarded $667,000 (£500,000) in damages.

A court in the US state of Missouri heard that the men had been allowed to pray together many times during the pandemic in their residential area at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Centre in Bonne Terre. But on 28 February 2021, they were cuffed and pepper-sprayed – then placed in solitary confinement without soap or running water to wash off the painful spray. Some resorted to washing their faces with water from the toilet.

The men were initially charged with a major conduct violation for “acts of organized disobedience” by three or more offenders. That was later reduced to a minor violation. They were found guilty and released from segregation 10 days after the incident.

The men’s lawsuit alleged that prison staff had used excessive force, violated their right to practise their religion, and shown deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. Last month the jury ruled in favour of the men on all counts.

Bird-brained smuggling plot is foiled

 Bird-brained smuggling plot is foiled

Two women allegedly tried to use plastic crows to smuggle drugs into a prison in the US state of Louisiana. The pair are said to have piloted a drone carrying the fake birds – with shiny black beaks and eyes, and packets of methamphetamine taped to their backs – into Federal Correctional Institute Pollock. But they were caught and arrested.

Melanie Jean Worthington, 38, and Kassy Marie Cole, 41, both from Texas, face charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and taking contraband into a penal institution. Worthington is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and Cole with possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute and an outstanding warrant.

Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: “The crow decoys were being dropped from a drone, onto the grounds of the federal prison. They admitted to being paid $40,000 (£30,000) to smuggle these items.”

Cancel planned expansion of HMP Parc, say MPs

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The prison estate increased by less than 500 net places in the 14 years to April 2024. The expansion at HMP Parc will deliver almost 350 places. 

“We are fixing this crisis, building prison places, and investing up to £7 billion from the financial year 2024/25 to 2029/30 and adding 14,000 new places, as well as investing hundreds of millions to improve the existing sites. The Government has already delivered 3,100 new places, as part of the biggest prison expansion programme since the Victorian era.

“Regarding HMP Parc, the availability of drugs and other illicit items in prisons is yet more evidence of the crisis the new Government inherited. We are taking a multi-faceted approach to deter, detect, and disrupt the illegal use of drones around prisons, including deploying physical security countermeasures, exploring technology, exploiting intelligence, strengthening legislation, and working across Government and with international partners on this global issue.”