Transgender Violence In Prisons

In 2010 41% of transgender Americans attempted suicide. 19% of transgender people report being refused medical care and 2% have been violently assaulted in a Dr.'s office. These shocking statistics are from the United Sates. The place that's known to be a melting pot; where every person whether they're black, white, purple, orange, or just plain weird - is treated equally. We have allowed this to happen to our country. How could we be so cruel, heartless, and unsympathetic? Where did our understanding go? The understanding that allowed freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the billion other things that founded this once beautiful country. Put simply, this ongoing transgender battle leaves human beings feeling less than others and abused;
New York State Penitentiary being amongst the highest transgender risk prisons. There should be a prison area for transgender people to have the ability to feel safe somewhere other than solitary confinement. 48 year old Geri pays a high price just for being who she is in liberal New York. It's understood that prison is a form of punishment; however, prison is not supposed to be a form of abuse, assault, and unnecessary isolation. Geri spent the first 17 years of her 25 year sentence "in the closet". Three years later, she was attacked in the showers by three gang members. She was beaten, assaulted, and raped. After attempting to clean up the mess without anyone noticing, she headed back to her cell. While crossing the recreation yard a guard saw that Geri was bleeding and escorted her to the hospital where she received minimal care and was sent to IPC (Involuntary Protective Custody). Geri did not receive any additional medical care, instead she was issued 2 disciplinary tickets: 1 for not reporting an injury, and the 2nd for testing positive for marijuana. (Smoking marijuana in prison is not legal, but under the given circumstances; who wouldn't?) She was sentenced to 6 months in Solitary Confinement. Once in there she received additional tickets, causing her stay to extend to 4 years. Geri's most recent interaction with sexual violence happened while she was on a layover to the Upstate penitentiary. She was escorted by a staff member into a room and asked to perform sexual favors. After being made clear that she was not willing, the employee simply brushed it off as a joke. There are many cases like this in New York alone. There seems to be no paper trail of the accounts, no justice, and no typical public outrage. There are only the stories that these men and women have