Transgender Teen Likely To Be Transferred From Prison To Treatment Center
Associated Press, The Connecticut Law Tribune
June 5, 2014  


The head of Connecticut's child welfare agency says a transgender teenager detained in an adult prison without criminal charges has been accepted for admission to a private treatment center for youths in Massachusetts.
Department of Children and Families Commissioner Joette Katz said Thursday, June 5 that she expects the 16-year-old girl to be brought to the treatment center within the next two weeks. Officials didn't disclose the center's name or location.
The girl, who was born a boy, has been detained at the state women's prison in Niantic since April. A state judge ordered her transferred to the custody of prison officials, after DCF officials said she was too violent for them to handle.
The girl's lawyers have asked a federal judge to order her moved out of the adult prison.

The teen, who was born a boy but identifies as a girl, has suffered sexual abuse and other trauma and has a range of mental health needs, according to her lawyer, Aaron Romano. He said he was worried her mental health problems were getting worse because she has been detained in what he called solitary confinement, which DCF officials denied.

A state judge in April ordered the girl transferred from DCF custody to Department of Correction custody, because DCF officials said she was too violent for them to handle.

The teen, known only as Jane Doe in court documents, has supporters across the country including civil liberties activists who have been calling for her to be moved to a facility that can better meet her needs. About 15,900 people have signed a Change.org petition protesting her imprisonment at York Correctional Institution in Niantic.

Katz's announcement came a day after a federal judge in Hartford set a June 16 hearing on whether to issue an injunction barring state officials from continuing to detain the girl in an adult prison. DCF officials said they have been looking for a better treatment location since before the girl was sent to the prison.

Katz said the treatment center that has accepted the girl has staff trained in meeting the needs of transgender youths. She said the center is secure and the program's goal is to teach the youths how to control their behaviors.

"This transition will allow her to get the treatment she needs and begin the process of healing," Katz said in a statement. "I hope this can eventually lead to successful re-integration into a family and community as well as a transition to a healthy adulthood."

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Subject: Transgender Teen Likely To Be Transferred From Prison To Treatment Center