Anne Tolley The Corrections Minister has acknowledged trans prisoners are a vulnerable group with highly-complex needs, as progress is being made on the issue of where they are housed. In a letter to Rachael McGonigal and Roxanne Peoples-Henare from the group Transsexuals of New Zealand, Anne Tolley reiterates her belief the management of trans prisoners is a complicated issue. She points to a review of the situation that has been carried out by Corrections, stating it has been comprehensive. “Any change in policy requires Corrections to balance the right of transgender prisoners to be managed, safely, humanely and with dignity, with the needs to protect the rights and safety of female prisoners. “It is important that very careful consideration must be given before placing a transgender prisoner who is anatomically a male into a female prison to ensure the safety of all prisoners involved. “This work is now nearing completion and potential changes to the Corrections Regulations are being worked through which would enhance the management of transgender prisoners in our prisons.” It’s understood recommendations have been put to Cabinet to consider, with changes expected to be enacted this year.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 30th July 2013 - 10:14am