A growing sense of unease and fear is pervading Minnesota’s sole women’s prison, the Women’s Correctional Facility in Shakopee, as transgender inmates are increasingly being housed alongside biological females. This shift in policy, implemented under Governor Tim Walz’s administration, has sparked outrage and concern among incarcerated women who feel their safety is being compromised.
The controversy stems from a 2022 lawsuit filed by the left-wing advocacy group Gender Justice against the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC). The lawsuit alleged discrimination against a transgender inmate, Craig Lusk, who identified as Christina, for not being housed in a women’s prison and for the denial of sex-change surgeries. In a settlement that cost taxpayers nearly $500,000, the DOC agreed to adopt the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care, which allows transgender inmates to be housed and receive medical treatment according to their gender identity.
Several inmates, including Rebeca Warmbo, a former inmate who now advocates for those still incarcerated, have voiced their concerns about the new policy. Warmbo and other inmates have reported feeling “scared” and “traumatized” by the presence of transgender women, particularly those with a history of sexual offenses. They allege that these transgender inmates engage in sexually suggestive behavior, creating a hostile environment.
One current inmate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, detailed how the presence of transgender inmates has fostered an atmosphere of intimidation, preventing many from speaking out. She explained that while the transgender inmates are provided with their own rooms, the other inmates are often forced to share cells. This, combined with shared living spaces like showers, creates an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation.
The issue has even prompted the resignation of Alicia Beckmann, a longtime teacher at the women’s facility. Beckmann, reportedly “blindsided” by the arrival of inmates like Sirvio and Lusk, expressed her concern about the women’s safety and their discomfort in sharing space with transgender inmates. She highlighted the fact that many of the incarcerated women have experienced violence and coercion at the hands of men, making them particularly vulnerable.
The DOC defends its new policy, stating that it is constitutionally obligated to provide medically necessary care, including treatment for gender dysphoria. However, critics argue that the policy is not only a safety concern but also a violation of the rights of biological women who are entitled to a safe and secure environment in prison.
The controversy in Minnesota raises broader questions about prison safety and the balance between transgender rights and the security of other inmates. The situation highlights the complex challenges faced by prison systems in navigating evolving societal norms and legal interpretations of gender identity. As the debate intensifies, it remains to be seen how the DOC will respond to the growing anxieties and concerns raised by the incarcerated women in its custody.
