A San Quentin incarcerated trans-woman received gender-affirming surgery after California permitted gender affirmation surgery to incarcerated persons, a first in the nation.
According to CalMatters, two groundbreaking policies had turned to law in the past seven years. First, in 2017, California set standards for granting gender-affirming surgery for incarcerated persons. Second, in 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that requires CDCR to ask each incoming incarcerated person gender-specific questions to identify their preferred housing.
Since the new policies and procedures took effect, the number of transgender, intersex and non-binary incarcerated persons has increased annually, rising by 234% to 1,617 since 2017, said the article.
“The vulnerable, transgender and transgender-diverse population in CDCR has grown and continues to grow and there are enduring needs that need to be met,” Trisha Wallis, a department senior psychologist who specializes in gender healthcare, said during a budget committee hearing in March 2023.
For Jamie Acosta, a transgender woman housed at San Quentin, the process to receive approval for gender-affirming surgery took about a year.
Two months after approval, Acosta started electrolysis appointments. The depilatory procedure that lasted for about six to seven months, Acosta said.
“My surgery was done on March 29, 2023; it took 7 1/2 hours. The surgery started at 7 am, and was done at 2:30 pm,” said Acosta.
Acosta spent three days in a Marin Hospital in recovery, and then transferred to a San Francisco hospital. CDCR later moved her to a prison hospital in Stockton and then transferred her back to San Quentin.
“When I was returned to San Quentin I was on limited duty before I could return to work,” said Acosta.
Acosta said she did not have any problems with her recovery. She said obtaining the proper medical supplies needed for recovery took some time at first, but medical providers soon stocked all necessary items.
From 2021 to 2022, 270 incarcerated Californians have asked for gender-affirming surgeries. Projections show that 462 incarcerated persons may request gender-affirming treatment in 2024, according to CALmatters.
Transgender advocates say states do not allow transfers for incarcerated persons who have not yet received gender-affirming medical care.
Jen Orthwein, a psychologist and lawyer who previously provided treatment to transgender inmates in prisons across California, said, “Ultimately the housing question should not be a medical question.”
The Women’s Liberation Front, a feminist advocacy group based in Washington D.C., sued the state for putting a hold on transfers to Chowchilla State Prison, a women’s facility, saying that such transfers might bring about sexual assault.
Several states have followed California gender-affirming policies. Massachusetts and Connecticut also allows transfers for inmates according to their gender identity, noted the news.
Acosta remains at San Quentin and studies in the computer-coding program beside male students.
“Today I feel great, I am happy that I got the surgery. I am looking forward to my future as a woman. My daughter is very happy for her mom. She’s is also very supportive,” said Acosta.
