Transgender Rikers Inmate Sentenced for Raping a Female Prisoner
TownhallMAY 2022
New York's leaders' fear of being labeled as bigots is what led to the rape at Rikers. While every individual has the right to live their life as they please and should be treated with respect, refusing to acknowledge hard biological facts in cases like this simply puts women at risk.
While the rape at Rikers Island is a tragedy, it doesn't speak for all transgender people in prison. In fact, transgender inmates are often on the other side of such incidents. There needs to be a concerted effort to protect trans and cis-gendered people alike.
The atrocious conditions at the Rikers facility itself borders on a civil rights emergency. The facility is plagued with violence, chronic mismanagement, and horrific living conditions. Dramatic systemic reforms are needed.