SACRAMENTO, April 20 (UPI) -- A transgender California inmate has sued the state prison system, seeking gender reassignment surgery and transfer to a women's prison.
Lyralisa Stevens said in court papers she has been repeatedly raped in a men's prison, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. She had already taken some steps to become more feminine before she was incarcerated for murder in 2003, including silicone injections to enlarge her breasts and hips.
"The male inmate is not expecting to see breasts in the shower next to him," Stevens said.
Stevens has been getting female hormones since she became an inmate. But officials say surgery, which can cost as much as $50,000, is not required.
If she wins her case, Stevens would be the first transgender prisoner in the United States to do so.
