Gender identity to be given more consideration during strip searches in prisons
Anyone who has to go to prison has to undergo a body search at the beginning. In Baden-Württemberg, the distinction between men and women will no longer be the only consideration. The fact that people can also have a different gender identity will soon be taken into account even more. Accordingly, the everyday life of trans prisoners could change significantly in this federal state.
It could still be a while before everything is actually in the bag. Those responsible are currently collecting different opinions on the subject.
What is the status and what could change?
The number of trans prisoners in prisons in Baden-Württemberg is small. And yet, of course, it is also important to provide individual care to those affected and not simply overlook the fact that here cannot be categorized into classic "male" and "female" based on birth sex.
One area that could change fundamentally here in the future is body searches. More flexible approaches should be possible here in the future. However, a look back at the past also shows that many of those responsible in the prisons had already decided that it was better to say goodbye to time-honored standards in this area.
In addition, in the past some trans prisoners have been enabled to undergo psychotherapy during their stay in prison. As a result, it was often easier for them to accept their gender identity.
To what extent is it useful to follow the police approach?
Excitingly, there are already many officials here who let transsexual people decide for themselves, for example, whether the body search should be carried out by a man or a woman. In this way, the procedure can often be made a little less stressful. To what extent this procedure can be transferred to the prisons in Baden-Württemberg in the future ultimately remains to be seen.
The question arises, however, as to why it is taken for granted by many to be able to vote during police body searches and why the procedure in prison is still a little "behind" in some ways.
What is the best way to implement the new rules?
If you take a little time to look at the current developments around trans people, but also around language and language change in this context, you will quickly realize that a lot has definitely happened here in recent years.
However, so that the transsexuality of the prisoners concerned can be dealt with even better, it is certainly best to ensure uniform standard values here. It is of little use, for example, if in some prisons examinations are still carried out according to the old standard, but in others according to the new rules.
What is certain in any case is that the issue has been underestimated for far too long. "Just" because there are comparatively few transsexual prisoners, this does not mean that it would be "okay" to decide over their interests. The new regulations, if they are implemented, may refer to a comparatively small group of people in the first step, but - seen as a whole - are definitely a step in the right direction.