The BBC reported on Tuesday that Italy plans to open the world’s first prison for transgender inmates in the buildings of the Pozzale Prison near Florence [Tuscany]. It is estimated that there are 60 transgender prisoners in Italy and most of these are serving sentences for drug offences or prostitution. They are currently in women’s prisons and are segregated for their own safety.
According to Il Giornale the medium-security Pozzale prison has a staff of 22 plus 6 Ministry of Justice employees and only 2 inmates. A local councillor said that nearby prisons are overcrowded but that it had proved impossible to have some of their inmates transferred to Pozzale.
A look at the prison’s recent history may tell us why it is virtually empty, for its former governor was removed from his post because of difficulties in his interpersonal relationships. A regional tribunal ordered his reinstatement but this never took place. In 2007 the ex-governor was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for abuse of his office and other offences but in 2009 the European Court of Human Rights condemned Italy for refusing him a fair trial.
The government’s decision to reopen the prison for transgender inmates may be related to the fact that a state of emergency was declared over prison overcrowding on Wednesday. It may or may not also be related to a tragic event that took place on Christmas Day when, at around 3 pm, a Brazilian transsexual committed suicide in a CIE [ a detention centre for illegal immigrants] in Milan.
In Italy any person over the age of 18 can ask for their civil status to be amended if “modifications to their sexual characteristics have occurred”. The law does not stipulate how the modifications may occur but in practice sexual reassignment surgery is required before a birth certificate can be amended with regard to a person’s sex.
The prison at Pozzale already has a library, recreation centre, football pitch and agricultural land. It also has single cell accommodation. Psychological support will be provided for the transgender prisoners who are expected to be transferred there in April.
Do you agree with the government to open a separate prison for transgender inmates?
