A federal judge has ruled that it would be unconstitutional for
an Indiana prison to deny a transgender inmate sex reassignment
surgery following the inmate's lawsuit against the facility.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the Indiana
Department of Corrections last year on behalf of a transgender
inmate, Jonathan C. Richardson, also known as Autumn
Cordellion*, who was convicted of strangling his 11-month-old
stepdaughter to death in 2001.

Indiana law, however, prohibits the Department of Corrections
from using taxpayer dollars to fund sex reassignment surgeries
for inmates. However, the ACLU argues in the lawsuit, filed on
Aug. 28, 2023, that the law is a violation of the Eighth
AmendmentAs prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishment."

ACLU SUES INDIANA OVER DENIAL OF SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY FOR
INMATE WHO STRANGLED 11-MONTH-OLD TO DEATH

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The surgery for Richardson, who is serving out a 55-year prison
sentence for reckless homicide, "is a medical necessity,"
according to the ACLU lawsuit.

Judge Richard Young agreed with the ACLU's claims and ruled in
favor of Cordellione| last week.

"Specifically, Ms. Cordellione| 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.

The DOC must now take "all reasonable actions" to ensure
Cordellione| undergoes sex surgery, according to the order.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, said in a
post on X that his office is still reviewing the judge's
decision, "but you can undoubtedly expect our office to appeal
this decision."

"An Indiana inmate convicted of murder wants our taxpayers to
fund their gender-altering surgery! Hoosiers do NOT want thism"
Rokita said.

TRANS INMATE WHO KILLED BABY AND IDENTIFIES AS MUSLIM WOMAN SUES
CHAPLAIN FOR ALLEGEDLY NOT ALLOWING HIJAB

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