My name is Joanna [redacted], I am currently incarcerated at CCWF. I do not agree with Senate Bill 132 that was written by Senator Weiner, and irresponsibly signed by Governor Newsom, that says the bill will ‘support the CDCR’s efforts to provide a safe, human, respectful and rehabilitative environment for incarcerated transgender, non-binary, and intersex community.’

What about the women who will be made to house with them? What about us, who are not physically as strong as them, forced to be living with them behind a LOCKED door!?

Since this directly affects us and endangers us in all avenues […] mentally, physically, emotionally, sexually, and spiritually; why weren’t we a part of this decision? Why does Senator Weiner and CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz, and ‘the Trans, Non-Binary, and Intersex community’ think that our rights to serve our sentence in a safe environment are not relevant?

The vague and non-definitive language used in this bill are extremely dangerous. It is our understanding that genitals nor an inmate’s criminal history can affect whether or not an inmate is granted the request to transfer.

Imagine the horror of having to wait for a possible sex offender with a penis to be housed in a call with me (5’6”, 160 lbs) while I already experience the effects of PTSD from sexual abuse, gang rape, rape by co-defendant, domestic violence [in] childhood/household, abusive relationship, emotionally broken down, been torn down to nothing of value/worth, no trust in men, fearful of being in close spaces with males, being trapped and no way out, or having to sleep in shifts to keep vigil to keep [myself] and others safe. It has taken the last 15 years to rebuild myself up and making a safe environment to be able to heal.

Did anyone who participated in the survey happen to know what we should do when we have/need to shower? Or being the only one left alone in the cell with someone who [has] 25% more muscle than me? Correctional officers don’t walk every 15 minutes for welfare checks. They barely walk hourly!

Do any of the [survey] participants, including the author of the bill, even know the layout of our housing and how very limited the space we will be sharing is? Try living in your bathroom with your daughter and her friends, then get back to me.

Did anyone consider how much physical damage a biologically male inmate could do to me? Or are you waiting till I’m in the hospital in a coma or another statistic number: inmate death or battered woman, or another murder??

What happens when an inmate decides to stop taking their hormones therapy, like Richard Masbruch did in 2012 […] when he was attacked by women in fear, PTSD, flashbacks, etc. So what will happen when he beats his girlfriend or abuse his cellmate? As of right now, the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Inmates who are clearly requesting a transfer to act out their deep dark behavior should not be granted a request. What about their co-defendants here? I fear mine will come here to kill me because he was sentenced to life without parole. How can you tell my family and others you can stop this from happening??

One person’s rights cannot come at the cost of another’s! I am requesting that revisions are made to SB 132 that address these serious safety concerns. I also request that the women are actually included not only in this request, but in ALL FUTURE CHANGES in legislation that directly affect us mentally and physically.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Joanna @ CCWF