New Zealand transgender woman to serve time in male jail

A transgender prisoner has been ordered to serve her sentence in a men's prison, not on home detention as requested. Glen Cooper was sentenced to two years and one month in jail after she earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to injure on January 17 this year. In the Whangarei District Court today Judge Duncan Harvey gave Cooper a 15 per cent sentencing reduction in recognition of the difficulties she would have in serving her time in a men's prison. She was also given a 15 per cent reduction for the early guilty plea. Lawyer Kelly Ellis had, at a sentence indication hearing, appealed to Judge Harvey to consider a sentence less than two years that would enable Cooper to serve her time on home detention. Ms Ellis submitted if Cooper went to jail in a men's prison, she would be in significant danger and at great risk of abuse. Transgender is a recognised medical condition, which can require a variety of treatment options. A transgender woman is a person born male who has gone through, or is in the process of, transition or gender change.