Submitted by Donald L. Leach, II, Ph.D., Senior Administrative Officer, Lexington/Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington, Kentucky, for the 2007 LJN Exchange.
What unique challenges do lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, and intersex (LBGTI) inmates pose for jail operations? What do jail leaders and staff need to know in order to appropriately manage these people with safety and respect?
Accurate language and terminology, physical and gender identity factors, and an understanding of medical facts provide a basis for sound practice. Jails need to be prepared on many dimensions, such as medical care, data systems, security, housing options, and clothing choices.
Many jails have had experience with these decisions, and for others the issue has not yet been encountered. NIC-supported work by the Center for Innovative Public Policy began to delineate the scope of the jail's responsibility and options for appropriate response. In a 2007 meeting, discussion focused on identifying issues associated with managing this group of offenders in the nation’s jails, with an emphasis on personal safety. Beyond our profession, awareness has continued to emerge within the LGBTI community about how jails manage, supervise, and house people from these populations. A number of national and regional organizations represent the interests of these individuals in social, legal, and political contexts. Cases being heard in courts all over the country are addressing aspects such as the provision of hormonal medications to transgender offenders, the continuation of transgender-specific medical procedures, and the development of gender awareness in areas such as housing and searches.
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Points of view or opinions stated in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.