A federal judge ruled that an Indiana prison must provide sex reassignment surgery to a transgender inmate, Autumn Cordellionè, formerly known as Jonathan C. Richardson.
The inmate, serving a 55-year sentence for killing his stepdaughter, sued with the ACLU, arguing that denying the surgery violates the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Judge Richard Young agreed with the ACLU’s claims, ruling in favor of the inmate.
“Specifically, Ms. Cordellionè has shown that her gender dysphoria is a serious medical need, and that, despite other treatments Defendant has provided her to treat her gender dysphoria, she requires gender-affirming surgery to prevent a risk of serious bodily and psychological harm,” the ruling states.
Although Indiana law forbids taxpayer funding for such surgeries, the court found the surgery “necessary” to address the inmate’s gender dysphoria and prevent serious psychological harm.
“An Indiana inmate convicted of murder wants our taxpayers to fund their gender-altering surgery! Hoosiers do NOT want thism” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said.
Cordellioné has identified as a woman since 6 years old, and claims he is “a woman trapped in a man’s body.”
According to court documents, Cordellioné strangled his then-wife’s 11-month-year old daughter to death while she was at work on Sept. 12, 2001.
