The inmate named Robert Kosilek was convicted of murder for killing his wife in 1990. Robert is now known as Michelle Kosilek, has been receiving hormone treatments since 2003 and lives as a woman in an all-male prison. This case has been going on for over 10 years. U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf is believed to be the first federal judge to order prison officials to provide sex-reassignment surgery for a transgender inmate. Judge Wolf said that denying Kosilek the surgery was a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Prison officials opposed the operation, saying they couldn’t provide security for Kosilek were he to receive a sex change — an argument Judge Wolf described as “pretextual.”
Eighth Amendment my ass. He lost that right when he killed his wife. It’s pretty sad that prisoners are so protected and the legal system is worried about their rights. Didn’t they give up those rights when they committed a crime like killing their spouse. Isn’t this considered elective surgery and not medically necessary? I just don’t get it. Why would a judge would approve this. It seems other inmates have tried to sue to have this surgery done but have failed.
What do you think? Should the judge have granted this dirt bag's wish?
Irene
Posts
ooo, this is tough for me! i definitely understand the transgender and that it IS a medical condition. i think insurance should absolutely pay for it. i also believe anyone that is in need of surgery or medical care should have the right to it whether they can afford it or not. even those in prison . . . within reason. but, yikes! i think if he killed his wife whatever punishment he indures after doing so is of his own consequence. so, no, i don't think this was the right choice. if the judge was trying to make a point about the importance of transgendered people deserving surgery, well, this wasn't the place to make that point. i am sure there's probably several people in mass that are upstanding people that struggle with being transgendered and would love to have a "free" operation. i am sure there are people who need all types of medical treatment that can't get it. maybe he should have thought about this before he killed his wife and put his energy into saving money for this. maybe this judge should try to help change the laws in the insurance system to recognize this as a necessary operation for transgendered people.
ReplyDeleteUgh. There's such weirdness in this world and this goes right to the top of the list. Visiting from SITS.
ReplyDeleteI get the transgender thing, but I think in a situation like this, he should be allowed to get the surgery (it is a legit medical/psychological condition), but he should be made to work off the money it costs for all the surgeries. The taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine,
ReplyDeleteI agree that if it's medically necessary that they should have it done but it's somewhat hard to accept when the person is sitting in jail for killing his wife. From what I hear, that has been the biggest issue
Hi Morgan,
ReplyDeleteyea this is def a tough case. The fact that he is in jail and requesting the surgery is such a major issue for everyone.
Thanks for stopping by!
I totally agree with you Robin. I think the issue that everyone is having is that he is in jail and therefore the bill falls on taxpayers.
ReplyDelete