Two inmates at New Jersey’s only state prison for women became pregnant after having sex with a transgender inmate, according to a report this week.
The women at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility became pregnant after “consensual sexual relationships with another incarcerated person,” Dan Sperrazza, the Department of Corrections’s external affairs executive director, told NJ.com.
The correctional facility in Clinton has faced a long list of sexual assault scandals and Gov. Phil Murphy announced plans last year to close it down.
Sperrazza told the Daily Mail, “While DOC cannot comment on any specific disciplinary or housing decisions that may be considered in light of these events, the Department always reserves all options to ensure the health and safety of the individuals in its custody”.
Last year, as a result of a lawsuit, New Jersey enacted a policy to allow prisoners to be housed in accordance with their preferred gender identity.
The suit was brought forth by a trans inmate in men’s prisons and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.
According to NJ.com, there are currently 27 inmates who identify as transgender in the prison that houses more than 800 inmates.
Last year, two Edna Mahan prisoners filed a lawsuit to end the prison gender identity policy. They claimed they were harassed by transgender inmates and that the other inmates were having sex with female prisoners.
Legal director Jeanne LoCicero of ACLU, which is frequently involved in these issues, defended the policy of allowing transgender inmates in a women’s prison.
“[It’s] in line with New Jersey’s strong anti-discrimination laws that prevent discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity,” she told NJ.com.
While an investigation was launched, the names of the pregnant women and transgender inmate have not been released.