Trans prisoner says guards failed to help her as she was raped, files lawsuit against officials
A trans woman prisoner who alleges that she was raped while guards ignored her cries for help is suing prison officials.
The un-named 20-year-old prisoner is suing New Orleans prison officials.
She was arrested last September, according to the Associated Press, after failing to appear in court for a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace.
Then she was transferred to a cell at the Orleans Justice Center, where she was raped by an inmate names as McArthur Mackey Jr, the lawsuit alleges.
According to the lawsuit, filed on Monday, the plaintiff was raped on 21 September 2015, and according to reports, Mackey was jailed for 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated battery and misdemeanor sexual battery in relation to the attack.
“At all times during the rape, Plaintiff repeatedly screamed for help, but no deputy ever came to the cell to investigate,” the lawsuit states.
The plaintiff says that prisoners were allowed to choose their own cells, and she chose to be on her own, but that Mackey was later added to the cell.
The lawsuit also challenges a policy which means the trans woman was housed in a male prison, in align with the sex assigned at birth, not their gender identity.
According to reports, the plaintiff states that her guard was absent for an hour, at least, and that she attempted to call for help including using an intercom four times before she got a response.
