Trans woman “traded for soup” in men’s prison
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the federal government and a private prison company after reports that transgender women held in a men’s Arizona “immigrant detention facility” was sexually assaulted while in custody. According to the ACLU complaint, a guard tried to literally “trade” the woman to other inmates in exchange soup.
“On one occasion, a detention officer told other detainees that they could “have her” if they gave him three soup packets,” according to court papers.
The woman was being held at the Eloy Detention Center in 2010 , a facility owned by the Corrections Corporation of America when she was assaulted by a detention officer. According to reporter Michel Marizco of Fronteras, Pinal County court records show the guard was charged with attempted unlawful sexual contact. The guard was sentenced to two days. Served the time and has been cleared.
Spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Arizona, Amber Cargile, issued a statement in response to questions about the lawsuit.
“While U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not comment on pending litigation, the agency is firmly committed to providing for the welfare and humane treatment of all those in its custody. ICE is currently in the process of implementing comprehensive reforms to the agency’s detention system. The reforms are designed to prioritize the health and safety of detainees in ICE’s custody, while increasing federal oversight and improving the conditions of confinement within the detention system. ICE is focused on sensible, sustainable reforms that are attentive to the unique needs of the individuals in our custody.”
View the ACLU Complaint courtesy of Fronteras.
About the Author
Wild Gender is an online magazine and creative hub born out of gratitude for the gift of full expression. We are dedicated to creative practices that celebrate gender fluidity, identity and expression. Wild Gender prioritizes visual art, creative writing, and journalistic work by trans/gender-variant individuals who have never before been published in a public venue. Run entirely by volunteers,we are always in search of writers, thinkers, and creators hoping to participate in our growing community.
Related Posts
Children’s Network Unveils Gender-Bending Heroine: “SheZow” Debut →
From Nepal: On Gender Identity and Disaster Response →
Time for Mainstream Non-Gendered Pronouns →
