I heard about this on the radio today, and actually surfed to see if it was really true. It seems that a prisoner in New York wants the State of New York to pay for his sex change to the tune of $500,000, and then move him to a women's prison.
The article suggests that to deny this man his sex change would be cruel and unusual punishment, and that it's a medical issue, and therefore can't be ignored. They liken it to a person knowing they have diabetes before they enter prison requiring treatment once they are incarcerated.
If he has begun the change, I might understand petitioning to continue it. But, if this is his fondest wish, and he didn't act on it BEFORE he went to jail.....then I don't see why the state should be obligated to foot the bill.
Personally, I feel that we spend all together too much money making our prisoners happy and comfortable. There are a LOT of people in the US who can't afford TV, Cable hookups, an exercise gym, and unlimited education. IF prison was a less pleasant place, maybe fewer people would be willing to risk going there.
A friend told me today that an ex-con was interviewed about the situation, and he said that if HALF the money spent on locking people up was diverted to creating jobs for released prisoners, fewer would repeat their offenses. They can study all they want in jail, and it doesn't do them any good because no one will hire them once they are released.
I propose we make it a really unpleasant place to go....and do everything we can to prevent those who have been incarcerated from going back. And, this turkey can have his sex change when he has raised the funds! Maybe the inmates will contribute to his fund drive.
Comments (5)
I agree. That is absurd! The way I see it, if he remains in prison, he remains with his dick whether or not he wants to.
But then, he will probably get some lawyer to persuade a jury to offer him damages that resulted from the 'mental anguish' that he suffered by being denied the money to have the damn thing Bobbitted! (rollingeyes).
Posted by Dr. D. | July 18, 2003 8:44 AM
Posted on July 18, 2003 08:44
Doc...you're inspired! We should explain to him about women like Lorena Bobbit, and tell him that they are free to roam the women's facility. Maybe we could get half the job done for free! Or....make him fear for his life if he's sent there.
Posted by Buffy | July 18, 2003 9:29 AM
Posted on July 18, 2003 09:29
WTF... that is nuts. Give him a bloody scalpel and let him take it off... but to pay for the expense of a total sex change procedure??? Not too damn likely!!
Posted by Desiree | July 18, 2003 8:10 PM
Posted on July 18, 2003 20:10
This is BEYOND commical, but the sick part about it in America, the inmate will get his way!!! Inmate's have more rights than those who'd never even "jay walk" ~ I have worked the Department Of Corrections both with youth and adult males.........the bottom line is it is sad.......an inmate can rape you as a free citizian *however you spell it* and only get ONE YEAR added to his sentence!!!! But if you as a person working in the Department of Corrections were to defend yourself against such a preditor, you'd not ONLY lose your job, but you'd go to jail for longer than the inmate in questions sentence!!!!! Because you were defending yourself!!!
When hired onto the Department of Corrections, you have to sign a policy, that if a rioit were to take place, and this is a direct quote from the policy, "YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN IF INSIDE THE LOCK DOWN TO DEFEND YOURSELF"................the irony of all of that is the general public has no idea how many "non trained" individuals are in the so called "LOCKED DOWN AREA"!!!
I don't have a problem with inmates being educated, reformed, etc, I have a problem with inmates being educated, having better health care than those who WORK for a living and don't commit crimes, and get every demand they wish for because THEY ARE INCARCERATED.....well wake the fuck up ~ you are INCACERACTED for a reason........it is like I told my inmates when they said to me........get me in to talk to them first because I've got places to go and people to see.......I'd laugh in their faces and say to them.....WELCOME TO PRISON AND SIT THE FUCK DOWN!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Jamie | July 20, 2003 3:44 AM
Posted on July 20, 2003 03:44
You've made my point, Jamie. We have lost track of what is reasonable in dealing with criminals. When those who work in prisons are on their own, and have fewer rights than the prisoners, there is something seriously wrong with the system!
Posted by Buffy | July 21, 2003 11:05 AM
Posted on July 21, 2003 11:05