<
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/04/nx-s1-5630490/prison-doj-safety-memo-changes-trans-lgbtq-inmates>
“The Department of Justice has instructed inspectors to stop evaluating prisons
and jails using standards designed to protect transgender, intersex and
gender-nonconforming people from sexual violence, according to an internal memo
obtained by
NPR.
This population is uniquely vulnerable to attacks while incarcerated, data
shows, and advocates say the change will put such people in even more danger.
The memo explains that DOJ is in the process of revising federal standards
related to the
2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in order to align with
President Trump's executive order on "gender ideology extremism." The Jan. 20
executive order asserts that the United States recognizes only two sexes: male
and female.
According to the DOJ memo, while the revision process is underway, detention
centers that undergo PREA audits will no longer be inspected using standards
specifically designed to keep LGBTQ and intersex people safe. The facilities
include federal prisons, state prisons and jails, juvenile detention centers
and immigration detention centers. These inspectors, referred to as auditors,
are not employed by the DOJ, but are hired by corrections agencies or by
individual facilities. The DOJ certifies the auditors and can decertify them.
The DOJ did not respond to
NPR's request for comment on the memo. But this is
the latest policy move by the Trump administration that removes legal
protections for trans people — particularly those who are incarcerated. In his
first few days in office, Trump upended long-standing federal policies that
would allow incarcerated trans women to be housed in a facility that aligns
with their gender identity. Trump has also signed an executive order banning
transgender troops from serving openly in the military and another restricting
gender-affirming care for minors. These orders have faced a host of legal
challenges and are still being fought in court.”
Via Joyce Donahue, who wrote "Prejudice and cruelty are central to this
administration."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
