The Utah Department of Corrections, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, discriminated against a trans woman inmate.
The Utah Department of Corrections allegedly violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the DOJ.
The trans woman was claimed by the Court that even though she had requested hormone therapy, the UDOC failed to provide her with health care services.
The prisoner is already a member of the men’s prison.
Gender dysphoria
According to the DOJ, the UDOC’s activities represent gender dysphoria, which discriminates against the woman. She apparently had it diagnosed years prior to her 2021 incarceration.
Gender dysphoria occurs when a person’s birth sex conflicts with their gender identity, according to The National Institutes of Health. This can lead to depressive thoughts or efforts, as well as mental health issues like depression, stress, and anxiety.
The department does not have “unnecessary eligibility criteria” for gender dysphoria treatment, according to the DOJ, which the department does not have for other conditions.
“[UDOC] conditioned medical evaluation for such care on acceptance by a committee that included members who expressed prejudice against transgender people and reluctance to administer medically appropriate treatment for gender dysphoria,” according to the DOJ.
Despite not receiving hormone therapy and wearing acceptable attire
According to the DOJ, UDOC officials made sure the estrogen treatment was administered safely and effectively when the transgender woman did.
Additionally, according to reports, Utah prison officials allegedly did not allow the woman to purchase gender-appropriate clothing and did not perform modified frisk searches on her. According to the DOJ, both of these accommodations are reasonable.
Additionally, it is reported that the inmate shared a cell with other female prisoners. Housing assignment is determined in Utah law after searches by the coroner’s office.
The inmate’s gender dysphoria deteriorated while she was incarcerated, according to the DOJ, without any of these accommodations.
Advice to Utah prison officials
The Disability Rights Section of the DOJ Civil Rights Division is currently working with the District of Utah’s U.S. Attorney. The Justice Department suggests that UDOC change policies, procedures, and practices for those who have gender dysphoria.
Additionally, the DOJ recommended that the UDOC provide compensatory damages to the detainee and other compensation.
The DOJ did not disclose the date its investigation began. However, Utah legislators passed a bill that would forbid transgender inmates from being housed in a facility that matched their gender identity during the 2024 legislative session.
This bill has not yet been passed into law, though.
