An action plan for transgender prisoners is currently being finalised by the Department of Corrections. Corrections have released a statement responding to comments made by Emmy Rākete of No Pride in Prisons that without the implementation of a plan to protect transgender prisoners -which was agreed upon before Pride 2016 - Corrections should not be marching in the parade next year. A Corrections spokesperson says the the Department “is finalising its action plan for transgender prisoners”. They say “We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of work to help support transgender prisoners. This will cover accessibility to support services, appropriate healthcare, appropriate rehabilitation and safety plans for vulnerable prisoners.” The Department has been on the receiving end of intense criticism from the protest group NPIP regarding the care and wellbeing of transgender prisoners. The spokesperson says “Corrections has a duty of care to all prisoners and works to ensure every prisoner is placed in a safe environment. Corrections assesses each prisoner individually to ensure the most appropriate placements for them.” However, late last week when it was confirmed that both Corrections and the Police intend to participate in next year’s Auckland Pride Parade, Rākete revealed that NPIP are working closely with a suicidal incarcerated trans woman and said that the woman was placed in solitary confinement by Corrections ‘for her own safety’. She went on to say that the prisoner “ is being subjected to constant sexual harassment” and her “mental state is rapidly declining”. “Corrections have refused to remove her from 23-hour lockdown, where she has been for 2 weeks, on the grounds that they do not have anywhere safe enough to send her,” she said. The Corrections spokesperson responded to these allegations and says “It is not correct that this transgender prisoner is subject to a 23 hour lock-up. They say “She is particularly vulnerable and is being closely managed for her own care and protection, with appropriate health care and support”.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 14th November 2016 - 12:30pm