Inmates at an all-women prison in New Jersey have fallen pregnant after having consensual sex with transgender prisoners.
The two pregnant women are incarcerated at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, in Clinton, New Jersey, US, where an investigation has now been launched.
The facility, whose impending closure was announced last year, houses 27 transgender prisoners and over 800 women altogether.
They changed their transgender policy in July 2021 following a lawsuit brought by a transwoman and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey.
Edna Mahan decided to allow the admission of transgender women who have not yet undergone sex reassignment.
New Jersey, America
WikiCommons
ACLU legal director Jeanne LoCicero defended the policy on Tuesday, saying it ensured the rights of trans prisoners were not violated.
Mr LoCicero said to NJ.com: "[It's] in line with New Jersey's strong anti-discrimination laws that prevent discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity."
DOC's external affairs executive director Dan Sperrazza added that the pregnant women had engaged in intercourse willingly, following several accusations of abuse at the jail.
He said: "While DOC cannot comment on any specific disciplinary or housing decisions that may be considered in light of these events, the Department always reserves all options to ensure the health and safety of the individuals in its custody."
The union that represents prison officers at the facility issued a statement slamming the policy which allows transgender females at Edna Mahan.
The union's president said: "We opposed this policy change believing it would be detrimental to the general population of female inmates being housed at Edna Mahan and also bring added stress to our correctional police officers assigned to this institution."
ACLU legal director Jeanne LoCicero defended the transgender policy
ACLU-NJ.org