Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Open thread
Next Post: Cannabis roundup
Posted in:
* New York Daily News…
A federal judge has ordered the Illinois Department of Corrections to “immediately” improve its treatment of inmates seeking treatment for gender dysphoria.
The ruling — which the ACLU of Illinois calls a “major victory” — comes after a four-day trial in East St. Louis last week, in which transgender inmates told the court how they were denied access to basic treatment, including hormone therapy, and how that affected them.
In December 2019, IDOC was ordered to improve care for transgender individuals who were part of the state’s correctional system. But according to U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Rosenstengel, it has failed to do so.
In a rare oral order delivered after the conclusion of the trial, Rosenstengel slammed as “nonsense” and a red herring IDOC’s arguments that the slow process for giving trans prisoners appropriate medical care was due to concerns over non-transgender “predators.”
The court also rejected claims that the COVID-19 pandemic justified delays in the process.
“I don’t have faith to simply ‘let the process play out,’” as the defendants requested. “I acknowledge that COVID understandably caused delays. But, COVID does not authorize inadequate medical care and treatment,” Rosenstengel said.
The injunction is here. I looked around and didn’t see any other news stories about this.
…Adding… IDOC…
“The Illinois Department of Corrections is committed to ensuring world class care for transgender individuals in custody. Under the leadership of Director Rob Jeffreys, the Department has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the quality of transgender care and Judge Nancy Rosenstengel recognized this progress in court. Every person in our custody deserves to have their needs fully met and humanity fully recognized and we are deeply committed to this critical work.”
Background:
Judge Rosenstengel stated in court, “I recognize that progress has been made and I even noted in the preliminary injunction order that changes ordered will take time and I acknowledge that COVID understandably caused delays.”
Under the leadership of Director Rob Jeffreys, the Department has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the quality of transgender care, including but not limited to:
• IDOC entered into a contract with Dr. Erica Anderson, President of the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH), to consult with the Department on its policy changes and transgender initiatives. Judge Rosentengel applauded this effort stating, “Hiring Dr. Anderson was an amazing step in the right direction.”;
• The Department contracted with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to provide three separate trainings to all medical and mental health providers within IDOC;
• We contracted with The Moss Group to provide review and input regarding a new internal policy pertaining to transgender care;
• IDOC implemented a policy allowing transgender individuals to choose the gender of the person that conducts their full body searches;
• The Department approved and sent multiple individuals to receive a surgical consultation for gender affirming surgery by renown surgeon Dr. Loren Schechter;
• The Department contracted with Dr. Ravi M. Iyengar, an endocrinologist with expertise in transgender care, to consult with the Department on hormone therapy issues;
• IDOC is finalizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago to access their transgender telemedicine program;
• We implemented a policy allowing gender affirming items be present in commissary;
• The Department continues to actively review individuals for transfer to a facility that houses the gender in which they identify.Protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of all individuals in custody is among IDOC’s highest priorities. We are committed to providing the training and resources necessary to ensure the needs of transgender individuals are met.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 9:24 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Open thread
Next Post: Cannabis roundup
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
There are some agencies that governors need to keep running as smoothly and safely as possible, these agencies make the most news, and usually it’s never good news. DOC is one of those agencies.
Better to try to get through this before any more news on this that shines a bad light on something that needs a remedy, the better.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 10:30 am
= concerns over non-transgender “predators.” =
Who, I am sure, will be eager to have hormone therapy. Please.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 10:37 am
- concerns over non-transgender “predators.” -
Spit take worthy. They’re withholding care because they care so much.
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 12:11 pm