The debate over West Side has reached the State Capitol, creating policy questions for to move biological male inmate to all-female facility, pay for vaginoplasty residents.
The DOC said it is "constitutionally obligated" to pay for the inmate's artificial vagina.
Left-wing legal group Gender Justice announced the settlement agreement Thursday, saying its client Christina Lusk will also receive $495,000 in monetary compensation, about half of which will go towards legal fees.
Lusk, who is in prison on drug charges, sued the Department of Corrections in June 2022, claiming he was being improperly housed in a male facility, suffering harassment from male prisoners, and being prevented from pursuing a vaginoplasty procedure.
According to the lawsuit, Lusk legally changed his name before incarceration, received a breast augmentation procedure in 2017, and was “on the verge” of scheduling a bottom surgery when he was arrested in December 2018.
DOC Medical Director James Amsterdam reviewed Lusk’s case, determining that the inmate would not be allowed to receive genital surgery but “could pursue that after release,” per the lawsuit.
The settlement reached this week states that the DOC will refer Lusk to a “mutually agreed-to third-party medical professional to evaluate her readiness for vaginoplasty.” “In the event vaginoplasty and/or breast revision is part of this professional’s plan but is not completed prior to Plaintiff’s release from her current period of incarceration, DOC will reimburse Plaintiff for her out-of-pocket expenses associated with that procedure(s),” the settlement says.
The DOC confirmed in a press release that it will assist Lusk “in obtaining surgery if the specialist determines it is necessary.” The DOC has also agreed to refer to Lusk and all transgender inmates by their preferred names and pronouns, transfer Lusk to the women’s prison in Shakopee, and update several of its policies.
As the measure advances, residents of West Side can follow amendments and contact Sandra Pappas regarding the final language.
Article Source: Alpha News: “Minnesota to move biological male inmate to all-female facility, pay for vaginoplasty”
