The trans prison experience This series examines transgender inmates in the U.S. and the challenges they face in confinement and upon release.

Special Series

The trans prison experience

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Minnesota recognizes she's a woman. She's locked in a men's prison anyway

Christina Lusk is a transgender woman and inmate at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Moose Lake. Lusk was denied a request to be sent to a women's prison at intake and is now suing, demanding to be moved and also citing serious harassment and assault at this facility. Caroline Yang for NPR hide caption

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Caroline Yang for NPR

Minnesota recognizes she's a woman. She's locked in a men's prison anyway

October 4, 2022 • When transgender people are incarcerated, they're often put in prisons that don't align with their gender identity. Some are taking legal action to try to get moved to prisons that match their gender.

Minnesota recognizes she's a woman. She's locked in a men's prison anyway

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Trans people struggle to find housing after prison. This group is trying to help

Biff Chaplow began a project to send annual holiday cards to incarcerated individuals. That effort evolved into Beyond These Walls, a nonprofit group that focuses on helping transgender and other LGBTQ people in prison and those who are newly released in the Pacific Northwest area. Celeste Noche for NPR hide caption

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Celeste Noche for NPR

Trans people struggle to find housing after prison. This group is trying to help

November 28, 2022 • Beyond These Walls, a trans-led group out of the Pacific Northwest, provides reentry services for LGBTQ individuals leaving prison.

Trans inmates need access to gender-affirming care. Often they have to sue to get it

Transgender inmates who don't get proper gender-affirming care in prison can experience serious anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. One individual said the experience was "catastrophic." Jasjyot Singh Hans for NPR hide caption

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Jasjyot Singh Hans for NPR

Trans inmates need access to gender-affirming care. Often they have to sue to get it

October 25, 2022 • Lawyers and health experts, as well as incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, say getting gender-affirming care in prison often comes only after threats of lawsuits or a full legal fight.