Judge says records that could identify Washington transgender inmates must remain sealed
May 19, 2021, 2:00 PM
The front of the Washington Corrections Center for Women. (Photo courtesy of WA Department of Corrections)
(Photo courtesy of WA Department of Corrections)
A federal judge has ruled that records that could identify dozens of transgender inmates in Washington state must remain sealed for now.
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice ruled that releasing the records would violate inmates’ rights. The Spokesman Review obtained a copy of the preliminary order that was granted on behalf of five unnamed transgender inmates.
KIRO Radio is among the news organizations that are requesting the records regarding any complaints made against transgender inmates following an anonymous report of sexual violence at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor earlier this spring.
The judge is expected to make a final ruling on KIRO Radio’s request by the end of the month.
DOC employees reports men are claiming to be women to transfer prisons
An employee of the corrections center told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Show in March that the women’s facility in Pierce County adopted the practice of allowing a transfer for any person who identifies as female. Those transfers are housed in the general population with female cellmates, the employee says.
The concern about these transfers among staff and inmates is a risk of sexual assault.
