Evaluation
Inmates/residents may self-identify as transgender or intersex upon intake or at any time during incarceration. If an inmate/resident notifies staff of transgender or intersex status, staff shall notify the Shift Commander, who shall ensure the status is entered in OIS.
Diagnosis
Upon request by an inmate/resident, mental health staff will complete an assessment for Gender Dysphoria using DSM-5 Criteria.
Medicalization
Inmates/residents diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria shall have access to clinically appropriate treatment options that may include mental health treatment, appropriate psychiatric care, hormonal treatment, if clinically indicated, or other treatment determined to be medically necessary. An inmate/resident who is receiving hormonal medication at the time of DCR intake may be continued on hormonal medication, provided the established treatment has been prescribed under the supervision of a qualified physician, the inmate cooperates in obtaining written records or other confirmation of previous treatment, and the agency’s contractual medical provider determines the hormones are medically necessary and not contraindicated. Staff who receive a request from an inmate/resident for initial or new hormonal or surgical treatment shall forward the request to the Health Services Administrator. The Health Services Administrator shall request a member of the mental health staff conduct an initial evaluation to help determine whether a Gender Dysphoria diagnosis is appropriate. This evaluation shall be forwarded to the medical provider and used in making treatment recommendations.
Requirements for Transfer to Women’s Facility
Facility and housing assignments of transgender and intersex inmates/residents shall be made on a case-by-case basis. Consideration shall be given to the inmate’s/resident’s health and safety as well as potential programming, management and security concerns. An inmate’s/resident’s own views regarding safety shall be given careful consideration.
Limits based on type of crime committed?
None stated.
Re-Evaluation required?
Facility and housing assignments shall be reassessed at a minimum of every six months to review any threats to safety experienced by the inmate/resident. An agency-level Transgender Committee, formed by the DCR Director of Correctional Healthcare comprised of agency and facility leadership and officials of the agency’s contractual medical and mental health providers, shall convene as necessary, but at least quarterly. This Committee shall address issues pertaining to inmates/residents who are transgender or diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria or an intersex condition.
Pronoun requirements?
Facilities shall encourage staff to use gender-neutral forms of address (e.g. Inmate Smith, Resident Smith or Smith) for all inmates/residents. Inmates/residents may use preferred titles of Ms., Miss, Mrs. or Mr. in
correspondence, provided the legal first and last names and OIS number are correct.
Merging of “transgender” and intersex categories?
Yes
