Transgender inmates are an often forgotten and largely misunderstood population. Broadly defined, this group consists of incarcerated persons whose gender identities do not align with those traditionally expected given their assigned sex at birth. Despite historic invisibility, the past three decades have brought transgender inmates into the public eye through legislation, lawsuits, and activist efforts that reveal how existing practices challenge their humane and dignified care while incarcerated in the United States. This entry summarizes the extant knowledge about transgender inmates in the United States, with a focus on the challenges they face while incarcerated, existing and emerging policies and practices related to these challenges, and future directions for policy development and evaluation.

For instance, in directing newfound attention to sexual victimization in correctional facilities, the ...