One of the eight special needs groups is the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) prisoners. Importantly, the handbook identifies transgender, “as a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies that diverge from the normative gender role (man or woman) commonly, but not always, assigned at birth, as well as the role traditionally held by society. It is the state of one’s gender identity”. It is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of identities including cross dressers and transsexuals. The distinction is important because LGBT persons are particularly vulnerable in the criminal justice system, not just in the U.S. but in many countries all over the world (“Handbook”,
One of the eight special needs groups is the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) prisoners. Importantly, the handbook identifies transgender, “as a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies that diverge from the normative gender role (man or woman) commonly, but not always, assigned at birth, as well as the role traditionally held by society. It is the state of one’s gender identity”. It is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of identities including cross dressers and transsexuals. The distinction is important because LGBT persons are particularly vulnerable in the criminal justice system, not just in the U.S. but in many countries all over the world (“Handbook”,