Governor Tim Walz's controversial prison policy allowing transgender women into Minnesota's only female correctional facility has sparked intense debate about inmate safety and rights.
According to Fox News, inmates at the Women's Correctional Facility in Shakopee have reported feeling unsafe and distressed since the implementation of the new transgender housing policy.
Following a settlement approved by Governor Walz with a progressive organization, Minnesota now includes provisions for taxpayer-funded treatment for gender dysphoric inmates. The Department of Corrections (DOC) reports that 48 transgender individuals are housed across the state’s correctional facilities, including four specifically placed in the women’s prison.
This policy shift places Minnesota among eleven states and the District of Columbia that allow inmates to be housed based on gender identity rather than biological sex.
The settlement, which cost Minnesota taxpayers nearly $500,000, resulted from a case brought by Gender Justice on behalf of Craig "Christina" Lusk. The funds were distributed among three parties, with Lusk receiving $245,903.72, Gender Justice allocated $198,000, and Robins Kaplan LLP getting $51,096.28 for legal expenses.
The DOC's updated policy guidance, issued in April, grants specific accommodations to transgender inmates. These include options for single-cell assignments and separate shower arrangements to prevent viewing by other inmates. The policy also mandates that security checks be conducted by staff matching the gender of the facility where the transgender inmate is housed.
Commissioner Paul Schnell defended the policy change, citing constitutional obligations to provide necessary medical care for incarcerated individuals, including treatment for gender dysphoria. The department has adopted the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care as part of its medical protocol.
Former inmate Rebeca Warmbo, who maintains contact with current prisoners, has become an advocate for women still incarcerated at the facility. Warmbo shared:
They're in fear, and they're scared all the time, and they feel traumatized. Because [some of] these men are sex offenders, and a lot of the women in there have been abused or had sex offenses done against them.
The situation has prompted staff responses as well. Alicia Beckmann, a teacher with nearly ten years of experience at the facility, recently resigned in protest of the new policy. Beckmann expressed concern about the impact on the female prison population, many of whom have histories of trauma related to male violence.
The policy implementation includes detailed provisions for transgender inmates' rights and accommodations. These changes encompass everything from clothing allowances to medical care, with the DOC providing gender-related mental health and medical services throughout incarceration.
The settlement with Gender Justice effectively bypassed traditional legislative processes, resulting in immediate policy changes. This approach has drawn criticism from various quarters concerned about both the financial implications and the impact on the broader prison population.
Governor Walz's administration has positioned Minnesota as a progressive leader in LGBTQ policies, including making the state a "sanctuary state" for children seeking transgender surgical procedures and hormone prescriptions. This aligns with broader policy initiatives undertaken during his tenure.
Currently, the facility houses several transgender inmates serving sentences for various felony charges, including individuals convicted of serious crimes. This has raised concerns about the safety and security of the general prison population, particularly given the shared living spaces and facilities. The DOC's current statistics show that the state's total incarcerated population is just under 10,000, with the transgender inmate population representing a small but significant demographic within the system.
