Since 2017, the state of California has spent more than $4 million in “gender-affirming” physical enhancements to prisoners, according to a report from the Washington Free Beacon.
Over the last six years, the state has spent almost $2.5 million on vaginoplasties and hundreds of thousands of dollars on male-to-female enhancements.
The state has treated 157 inmates, including 4 on death row.
Eleven inmates received breast implants, two received facial feminization, sixty-nine male prisoners received laser hair removal, and forty female inmates had their breasts removed.
California began covering sex-change procedures for inmates in 2016.
Shiloh Quine, a biological male with a life sentence in prison, was represented by the Transgender Law Center and secured the ability for transgender women to obtain items such as necklaces, scarves, nightgowns, and other materials.
“Transgender women like Shiloh shouldn’t be denied items that every other woman in CDCR custody has access to,” Ilona Turner, legal director at the Oakland-based Transgender Law Center, said at the time. “We are pleased that the court recognizes the importance of having access to clothing and personal items that reflect a person’s gender, and that denying items because someone is transgender is discrimination.”
The outlet reported that earlier this month, the number of California inmates identifying as transgender was 1,847. As of 2014, only 131 inmates identified as transgender.
