Massachusetts

1. Policy: Massachusetts Department of Correction, Identification, Treatment, and Correctional Management of Inmates Diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria, 103 DOC 652, May 2016
2. Language:
   1. At the time of commitment, adjudicated individuals are court ordered into Department of Correction custody and are transported to the reception institution based upon said court order. For all new commitments, an Internal Housing Risk Factor Assessment is completed and examines issues of risk of victimization and risk of violence/predatory behavior and/or abusiveness.
   2. Should an individual identify as Gender Dysphoric or appear to need additional clinical assessment, the process of confirmation will commence as outlined in 103 DOC 652.05.
      1. An assessment will inform housing, work, education, and program assignments and will focus on individual safety. These assessments will occur on a case by case basis and will include security level, criminal and discipline history, medical and mental health assessment of needs, vulnerability to sexual victimization and potential of perpetrating abuse based on prior history.
      2. A Gender Dysphoric inmate’s own views with respect to his or her own safety shall be given serious consideration.

“No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones.”

Nelson Mandela