Criminal Justice System & Prisons
LGBT and HIV-positive individuals often experience unique difficulties when dealing with the criminal justice system. At best, the system is poorly designed to accommodate and serve the needs of GLAD’s community. At worst, it is overtly and deliberately hostile.
Antiquated anti-gay “sodomy” laws have been struck down, but other criminal laws related to sex—statutes that may be neutral on their face—are often enforced in a discriminatory way against gay men. In prison, LGBT individuals are frequently targeted for mistreatment and physical or sexual attacks. Prison officials may participate in such abuse, turn their backs on it, or lack institutional tools to adequately protect LGBT inmates. Transgender inmates and people with HIV may face additional difficulties gaining access to appropriate medical treatment.
In Your State
Specific laws can vary greatly from state to state. For more information, please visit a state page:
GLAD’s Work On This Issue
Criminal law can be bewilderingly complex and stressful. Though this area is not the primary focus of GLAD's work, it can affect LGBT and HIV-positive people in dramatic ways. Because of this, GLAD makes every effort to provide people with resources and connections with experts in the field.
From the Docket
Pentlarge and Another v. Sex Offender Registry Board et. al.
GLAD has filed an amicus brief in this case on appeal before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court concerning the Commonwealth’s Sex Offender… More →
Legislative Advocacy
Phone Bank to Support CORI Reform
Show your support for CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) Reform Legislation by contacting George Lee at {encode="georgeleejr617@gmail.com"… More →
Related News
Federal Bureau of Prisons Makes Major Change in Transgender Medical Policy
A settlement was announced today in the case of Vanessa Adams, a Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate at FMC Butner in North Carolina who has… More →