Two inmates at New Jersey’s only all-women’s prison have been confirmed pregnant after having sex with transgender inmates.
Gatekeepers News reports that the pregnant women, whose identities were not revealed, are housed at the embattled Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, in Clinton, which New Jersey Governor announced plans to close last year.
The sex was consensual in both cases, according to prison bosses.
It is, however, unclear if the women had sex with the same transgender inmate, or if it was two different inmates.
It was gathered that Edna Mahan houses 27 transgender prisoners, and over 800 women altogether. It is also unclear how far along the two inmates are, and whether they plan to continue with their respective pregnancies.
An investigation has been launched.
Last year, the correctional facility began to house transgender women – including those that have yet to undergo gender reassignment surgery, following the settlement of a lawsuit brought by a trans woman and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey.
ACLU legal director Jeanne LoCicero defended on Tuesday the policy, saying it ensured the rights of trans prisoners were not violated.
“[It’s] in line with New Jersey’s strong anti-discrimination laws that prevent discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity,” she told local news outlet NJ.com.
Edna Mahan, the only women’s prison in the Garden State, does not require transgender inmates to proceed with reassignment surgery in order to be housed at the correctional.
