AFLOE Insights:
- A report from The Daily Signal reveals that 81 out of 161 male inmates identifying as transgender in Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections have been convicted of sexual assault or abuse.
- A California law enacted in January 2021 allows for the transfer of inmates to facilities based on “individual preference,” leading to hundreds of transfer requests from male inmates to women’s prisons.
- A study from the Correctional Service of Canada found that 82% of transgender inmates convicted of a sex crime were males identifying as females.
Report Reveals High Rates of Sexual Offenses Among Transgender-Identified Male Inmates in Wisconsin
A recent report from The Daily Signal, based on data from a 2022 public records request by the Heritage Foundation, has found that over 50% of male inmates identifying as transgender in Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections have been convicted of sexual assault or abuse. The report has raised concerns about the safety of female inmates, particularly in light of policies that may allow transgender-identified males to be housed in women’s facilities.
According to the data, 81 out of 161 male inmates who identify as transgender have been convicted of at least one count of sexual assault or abuse. The Department of Corrections has not disclosed whether these inmates are housed in male or female facilities, but existing state policies suggest that such placements are possible.
The issue is not limited to Wisconsin. A California law enacted in January 2021 allows for the transfer of inmates based on “individual preference,” without requiring hormonal treatment or surgical procedures. Following the law’s implementation, hundreds of male inmates requested transfers to women’s prisons.
Studies indicate that male inmates who identify as women have disproportionately high rates of criminal behavior compared to their female counterparts. One study from the Correctional Service of Canada found that 82% of transgender inmates convicted of a sex crime were males identifying as females.
Despite these statistics, legislative efforts like H.R. 5, also known as the Equality Act, aim to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, potentially allowing male inmates to be housed in women’s facilities. The Biden administration has been a strong advocate for the Equality Act, stating that it would provide essential protections for transgender and LGBTQI+ Americans.
However, critics argue that such policies overlook the safety concerns for women in various spaces, not just in prisons but also in sports, bathrooms, and locker rooms.
