Trump Enforces Stricter Policies on Transgender Inmates in Federal Prisons

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Donald Trump has recently issued an executive order aimed at enforcing stricter policies regarding transgender inmates in federal prisons. This order includes specific instructions on how it should be applied within the federal prison system, which currently houses nearly 2,300 transgender inmates, constituting about 1.5% of the total inmate population. The new policy mandates that transgender prisoners must be housed based on their biological sex rather than their gender identity, a significant shift from the guidelines issued during the Obama administration, which recommended housing based on gender identity.

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In addition to the housing policy, the order also restricts access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender inmates, potentially isolating them further within the prison system. This move has sparked significant controversy and condemnation from various quarters, including transgender rights activists and some political figures. For instance, actress TS Madison has publicly criticized the order, expressing fears that it could lead to harm or even death for trans inmates.

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To oversee the implementation of these new policies, Trump has appointed a new acting federal prisons chief. This appointment follows the retirement of Michael Carvajal, who had been serving as the director of the Bureau of Prisons since February 2020. The new acting chief is expected to enforce the stringent measures outlined in Trump's executive order, which include not only the housing and medical care restrictions but also broader implications for the treatment of transgender individuals within federal prisons.