Transwomen in Italian prisons

[Ramblingnamechanger]

Featured tonight in On Assignment ITV . Seemed a sensible solution, a separate TW wing in a male prison. What got me was the inclusion by the journalist of the CIS word, so no wonder the piece sounded one sided. I think the actual offences may have been down played as they were supposed to be for prostitution or drugs. Strange as it seems that a high proportion in UK and USA have a history of violence or sexual offences. This was described as medioum security prison, so … the inmates said that having a woman in charge meant that she understood their need to cross dress, have feminine clothes and continue their treatment. I bet women don’t get all their wants met in this way. Interestingly although they sometimes had contact with other male prisoners and carefully watched, I think they were never allowed contact with female prisoners( maybe I’m wrong on that)
the end part focussed on how the new right government might take away the rights of LGBT people… not really related to the content of the item.

"Italy was the first country in the world to open a prison for just transgender prisoners. It was set-up back in 2010 near Florence, but has since had to close.

Now, wings like this one at Rebibbia, with its specially trained staff, are the alternative solution."

I wonder why it had to close?

"The fundamental reason for separating transgender inmates from the rest of the prison population is for security.

It is mainly to protect them from attacks from the male prisoners, but also to safeguard the cisgender female inmates too.

On some occasions though, like in the sculpture class we visited, all prisoners - irrespective of gender - attend the class together.

On these such occasions, they are watched by either security cameras or a guard."

So it is not a "male prison". It is a mixed-sex prison.

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-06-27/the-italian-prison-taking-bold-steps-to-accommodate-transgender-inmates